In contrast, plasma TV sales fell 19 percent to $3.8 billion due to sharp price falls, DisplaySearch said in a report dated Monday.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd remained the largest LCD TV maker with an 18.4 percent share, followed by Sony Corp with 15.1 percent and Sharp Corp with 12.5 percent.

Among plasma TV suppliers, Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co kept its No. 1 spot, controlling 32.9 percent of the market, while Samsung came in second with 21.3 percent and LG Electronics Inc took a 16.3 percent share.

Plasma TVs have seen their share erode in the overall TV market as LCD TV suppliers in recent years encroached on the market for large-sized TVs with 40-inch and larger panels, formerly plasma TVs' stronghold.

Reuters