Almost one-third of Australian households have purchased a new television set in the past 12 months, lured by flat or bigger screens and better picture quality, according to a new survey by the communications authority.
That figure – 29 per cent – jumped to 70 per cent over the previous three years, underlining the continuing importance that the television set plays in households despite changes in screen consumption habits.
"As prices drop and features – such as large screens, high definition (HD) and internet connectivity – become more common, Australians are now enjoying an unprecedented level of quality in their viewing experience," said Australian Communications and Media Authority chairman, Chris Chapman, said.
The 'Television sets in Australian households 2011' report found that 99 per cent of Australian households have at least one television set accounting for about 18.7 million working television sets in total (an average of 2.2 per household).
By mid-2011, over 80 per cent of main TV sets in Australian households had been converted to digital. The main reasons for buying a new set were the allure of a flat or bigger screen (69 per cent) or better quality picture (66 per cent). The final switch to digital transmission by the end of 2013 prompted 59 per cent of those surveyed to buy a new set.
While the average age of television sets before being replaced was 8.3 years about 40 per cent of all television sets in Australian households were estimated to be less than four years old in mid-2011.
The average price of an LCD television set fell by $256 (32 per cent) between 2010 and 2011, and the average price of a plasma television set fell by $174, or 14 per cent, according to the survey. The average price for a new TV bought in the year to June, 2011, was $1131.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.