Professional displays closing in on $50bn by 2026, LED gaining ground

The professional displays market currently leads the global pro AV segment, capturing 57% of total revenues and achieving $37 billion in 2022. That’s according to a new Strategic Market Outlook report from Futuresource Consulting, which also notes that the market has entered a period of transitional growth across multiple technologies and applications. 

Changing mindsets fuel market growth 

“The relentless ascendancy of conferencing technologies is helping to fuel the current global pro AV charge,” says Sean Bradley, Senior Market Analyst, Futuresource Consulting. “With hybrid working here to stay and collaborative communication taking a prominent position at the table, signposts are pointing to a megatrend of networked devices and a wider move to IT-based thinking. All this action, and the underlying mindset change, is going some way to creating a tinderbox of opportunity for the professional displays market.” 

Professional displays, comprising LCD (including interactive panels), LED and projection technologies, is expected to cumulatively grow by 45% from 2021 to 2026. Futuresource forecasts point to a retail value of $49 billion by 2026, with LED driving much of the expansion.  Although projector share is declining, it remains a substantial $4.5 billion opportunity per year in 2026. While LED is gaining momentum, the specialist research firm confirms that LCD displays will still account for more than 50% of global value by 2026. 

LED displays preparing to skyrocket 

“With pixel pitches narrowing and comparative price points falling, we’re seeing LED displays shaping up to be the principal driver of professional displays value growth,” states Ted Romanowitz, Principal Analyst. “Our research is showing a global increase in direct view LED value of nearly 160% between 2021 and 2026.  

“From digital signage and videowall, through control room, and in corporate and higher education sectors, LED is proliferating. It is storming through the verticals and leaning hard into retail, corporate, higher education, transport, broadcast, and live staging and events. There’s plenty of opportunity on the horizon, and it’s heading here fast.” 

For brands, integration is key 

Looking to the vendors, Futuresource notes that brand equity and a full product wrap is becoming increasingly important in the market, alongside support solutions and services. Manufacturers with highly integrated supply chains have a strong strategic advantage. Other brands must develop differentiating capabilities which service very specific target markets and applications. 

For more information on Futuresource Consulting’s new Professional Displays Strategic Market Outlook report, or to make a purchase, please contact ben.thrussell@futuresource-hq.com