Dell to offer Sony flat-screen televisions

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Just days after the change at the CEO position, Dell has already a new business strategy in place to increase its revenue: sell non-Dell TV. The company has in fact started selling flat-panel television made by Sony Corp.

Until last week the only flat-screen televisions available on the website were the one branded Dell. The attempt to diversify the business plan in 2003 prompted the company to offer Dell flat-screen televisions. The move was not completely successful though because Dell trails several brands in the flat-screen market.

So the company chose to change its strategy and expand the Dell flat-screen offer. The first three models will be Sony LCD TVs: a 46-inch and two 40-inch screens. The first is priced at $2,999 USD while the latters cost $2,199 (the Full HD model) and $1,799 (the HDTV model). All the prices are very competitive and should help Dell gains visibility in the flat-screen market.

Later Dell will offer flat-screen televisions produced by other makers but right now not much is known about these plans. The addition of other brands to the Dell flat-screen offer however doesn’t mean that we will not see other Dell flat-screen televisions. According to early reports Dell will continue to offer televisions from 37 inches and below.

This is not the first time that Dell opens its website to other makers in a sector where already there is a Dell branded product. Several months ago Dell stopped producing its musical player and secured deals with the major brands in this market.