Best Buy stakes claim on next-gen TVs
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Best Buy says it is the exclusive national retailer for RGB LED TVs. Photo: Courtesy of Best Buy
Best Buy announced Wednesday it is the exclusive national retailer for RGB LED TVs, putting the electronics chain at the center of a rollout the company calls the biggest change in TV technology in more than a decade.
Why it matters: The move gives Best Buy a rare edge in the competitive TV market and positions the retailer at the forefront of the next generation of displays.
The big picture: The Minneapolis-based retailer is bringing RGB LED TVs from Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL and Hisense to stores nationwide as the technology begins rolling out.
- The TVs start at $999 and come in sizes ranging from 50 inches to 116 inches, according to the company.
- Best Buy says more than 15,000 employees have been trained on the technology.
Customers can still buy the TVs through manufacturers' websites and some regional retailers, Best Buy tells Axios.
- But the company says the TVs won't be available through other national retailers.
What they're saying: "RGB LED is the biggest leap in TV technology since OLED arrived in 2013," Jason Bonfig, Best Buy's incoming CEO and chief customer, product and fulfillment officer, said in a statement.
- "It is not just a spec change — the colors are physically produced differently, and it's something you'll notice immediately," Bonfig said.
By the numbers: More than 48.8 million televisions were purchased in 2020, according to Best Buy.
- With most TVs replaced every five to seven years, the retailer says millions of households are beginning to consider their next upgrade.
Reality check: Not all RGB LED TV models are the same, tech reviewers note. And while the technology presents clear advantages, how it's actually implemented will determine which models offer notable improvements over Mini LED.
What's next: Best Buy and TV manufacturers are betting RGB LED can give consumers a reason to upgrade as pandemic-era TVs reach replacement age.
