Sony delays larger screen OLED TVs?

Those of us eagerly awaiting the arrival of a successor to the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV may have to wait a little longer, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Sony has delayed development of larger screen OLED TVs. Although Sony had attendees at CES 2009 salivating at prototype 21-inch and 27-inch OLED TVs, according to ‘sources close to the company’ the XEL-1, which was released in late 2007, apparently won’t be getting a bigger brother until 2010 at the earliest.

Sony’s company-wide operating loss of JPY 25.7 billion yen (approx. USD$268 million at time of publication) for the first fiscal quarter of this year probably has something to do with the decision. The cost of mass-producing the next-gen TVs wouldn't be cheap and, according to those familiar with Sony’s plans, would exacerbate existing losses within Sony’s TV division.

Sony has refused to comment on the rumors but, if they're true, it could leave Sony playing catch up with competitors Samsung and LG, who are both pushing ahead with plans for OLED TV production. LG is even aiming to have a 15-inch OLED TV on Korean shelves by Christmas.

Source: Wall Street Journal