How Europe’s watching EURO 2024

With the European Football Championship in Germany and the Summer Olympics in Paris, two major sporting events are just around the corner. This also means many TVs will probably be on more often than in a regular summer. After all, not everyone’s lucky enough to attend these events live. To get a close-up view of the action, Europeans are investing in new TVs and other public viewing equipment.

2024 the year of wall solutions

This year, online retailer Galaxus has sold almost 30 per cent more TVs and projectors in the European countries the shop’s active in (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands) than in the previous year. Wall mounts for TVs, projector mounts and screens are also more popular in 2024 than in 2023.

China hot on South Korea’s TV heels

I bet you own a Samsung TV. Am I right? If so, you’re not alone. Galaxus’ sales figures show that the South Korean manufacturer is the top dog on the European TV market. Especially people in Switzerland seem to be big fans, as Samsung’s sold almost twice as many TV sets in Switzerland this year than LG Electronics, who came in second and is also from South Korea.

In EU countries such as Germany and Austria, Samsung’s also at the top of the ranking. But for how much longer? Hisense, known for good value for money, is catching up. In 2023, the Chinese manufacturer was in fifth place in the EU rankings and is likely to end the year as runner-up, just behind the industry leader. Demand for Hisense TVs is also on the rise in Switzerland. The brand’s currently in 4th place (8th place in 2023), ahead of well-known competitors such as Dyon, Sony and Panasonic.

The Euros will be watched on 55-inch LED screens

When it comes to screen size, our customers have the same preferences. Europeans go for screens with a diagonal of 55 inches, which is around 140 centimetres. For the first time this year, 65-inch screens are the second most popular size in Switzerland, with sales up 48% compared to the previous year.

In the EU countries, the 65-inch models even increased by 71% and are now in fourth place. Although the trend towards very large and more expensive screens is somewhat more recent in those countries than in Switzerland, demand for the second and third-placed sizes 32 and 43 inches has already dropped this spring.

But size isn’t all that matters. TVs need to have the right technology, too. More than one in three TV sold on Galaxus is equipped with LED screen technology. QLED, OLED and LCD follow at a considerable distance.

On which device are you watching the sporting events or your favourite series this summer? And what do you look for when you buy a TV – brand, price, size? Join the discussion in the comment section.