Plasma industry grows, but stays in place

The good news for plasma TV makers is that the industry will likely grow at 14 percent a year for the foreseeable future, and see unit shipments grow from 13.4 milion this year to 22.7 million in 2011, according to iSuppli.

The bad news is that average selling prices will decline 13 percent a year, thanks to increased manufacturing efficiencies and pressure from LCD TVs, so revenue will only grow slightly over the next five years.

Within this constrained environment, Matsushita, which sells its TVs under the Panasonic brand, is doing the best. It increased its market share to 37.3 percent in the fourth quarter. LG Electronics and Samsung clocked in at No. 2 and No. 3 with 24.2 percent and 21.1 percent market share, respectively.