Global shipments of LCD TV panels with LED backlights reached a high of 16.6 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010, with strong growth in edge-lit configurations, according to the DisplaySearch’s Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment–Advanced LED Report.

Panel makers are targeting rapid penetration increases for LED backlights in LCD TV panels, growing from 36% in the first quarter of 2011 to 62% in the fourth quarter for an overall penetration of 53% for 2011. For the year 2010, penetration reached 21%, up from 2% in the previous year, according to the report.

“Despite some buildup of LED-backlit TV panel inventories in the second half of 2010, the industry has recognized that LED backlighting is an irreversible trend, with benefits such as lower power consumption and slimness,” noted David Hsieh, DisplaySearch vice president and research leader for large-area panels. “This has encouraged LCD TV panel makers to reduce LED backlighting costs continuously in order to increase shipments.”

Hsieh added, “This does not mean that CCFL will no longer be in demand, as there are still many end users and emerging markets that are very price sensitive. It’s important for the industry to maintain support for CCFL panels.”