Audio Video News

Demand for television sets is on the wane, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing "recent consumer surveys and comments from a TV supplier and from club stores."

Among the sources cited was ChangeWave Research, whose monthly survey of 4000 consumers showed they were 20 percent less likely to buy consumer electronics in the next 90 days compared to their state of mind last November. That survey also showed only seven percent would spend their federal tax rebate on electronics, versus 20 percent in another survey by the Consumer Electronics Association.

Maybe different timeframes account for the differences between the two surveys, but what changed the minds of consumers? Possibly an outbreak of fiscal responsibility in the face of the slowing economy. The ChangeWave numbers show 33 percent of consumers plan to spend their rebate paying down debt, with another 23 investing it, and 21 percent saving it.

The Journal story also said analysts find slowing TV sales at Wal-Mart and Costco.