SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 11, 2007 –  Led by sales of its high-definition BRAVIA LCD flat-panel televisions and Grand WEGA rear-projection micro-displays, Sony Electronics achieved number one total TV market share in the United States in dollars and units for 2006 (January through November), according The NPD Group's retail tracking service.

Sony beat the next closest competitor by five percent in total television dollar market share, while also holding the advantage in overall TV unit sales.

"Sony continued its leadership position in LCD and micro-displays in 2006, obtaining the absolute number one position in all the digital television categories in which it participates," said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony's Home Products Division. "When you combine the key digital TV categories, specifically LCD and micro-display, Sony's overall dollar share outpaced the closest competitor by 21 percent for January 2006 to November 2006."

Added Steve Baker, Vice President of Industry Analysis for NPD: "Sony's leadership position in television in 2006 has been consistent over the past few years. What makes this performance impressive is the number of competitors in the TV space continues to grow at a staggering pace."

According to Baker, the latest 2006 figures continue a trend of Sony's number one share in total TV dollar sales which it has held year to year since 2003 – as evidenced by NPD’s most current monthly dataset which dates back to 2003.

Specifically, Sony's LCD flat-panel televisions had an eight percent dollar share lead over the next closest competitor in the U.S. for 2006 (January through November), according to NPD. Sony also led the nation in unit share in both the LCD flat-panel and micro-display categories. In micro-display, it had a 21 percent greater dollar share than the next closest competitor.

"The numbers tell the story," added Waynick, "When it comes to market leadership in television, Sony is at the top of the charts. There can only be one number one."