As the television market continues to grow, consumers will continually switch away from cathode-ray tube (CRT) sets to newer technologies, with liquid-crystal displays overtaking CRT's by 2009.

CRT TVs will lose their historical dominance of the TV market in 2009, market research firm, iSupply stated, when they will account for about 42 percent of unit shipments, while LCD-TV's share will grow to 47.9 percent that year.

The firm believes that in 2006, the television market will reach 187.7 million units, up from an estimated 177.5 million units in 2005. By 2010, the global television market will expand to 226.6 million units.

"The rapid decline in CRT television shipments is rippling through the market as flat-panel TVs become increasingly price competitive, the firm stated.

Sharp Electronics accounts for 14.5 percent of LCD market share worldwide, while Samsung follows closely behind with 14.2 percent.