Samsung bets on AI to extend its 2-decade grip on TV market

For more than 20 years, Samsung Electronics has dictated the terms of the global television market. Now, as lower-cost rivals threaten the broader hardware industry, the Korean conglomerate is leaning on artificial intelligence (AI) to safeguard its crown. According to data released by market research firm Omdia, Samsung captured 31.3 percent of global television revenues in the first quarter of 2026, up 1.3 percent from the previous year. The figure places Samsung’s market share at more than double that of its closest competitor, reinforcing a dominance that has remained unchallenged since the mid-2000s. The company’s grip is tightest at the top of the market. In the premium segment — defined as televisions priced above $2,500 — Samsung claimed 53.4 percent of all revenue. It also captured roughly half of the market for sets priced above $1,500, a lucrative tier driven by consumer appetite for sprawling, cinematic screens. Sales of ultralarge models, including 98-inch and 100-inch displays, helped Samsung secure 31.6 percent of revenue for televisions 75 inches and larger. Even