Samsung plans not to sell Google TV in Korea

Samsung Electronics said Wednesday that it has no plans to sell sets supporting Google’s Web TV service in Korea.

The move came as the TV service has received a lukewarm response in key markets such as Europe.

“We got less attention for our Google TVs in Europe. Samsung doesn’t have any plans to release them in Korea,’’ said Kim Hyun-seok, the head of Samsung’s TV division, in a meeting with reporters, Wednesday.

Its rival LG Electronics also stated it would not sell its Google TVs in Korea after it also failed to impress consumers in the United States.

Kim said the company was still hoping to roll out its stalled 55-inch OLED TV this year.

The executive said Samsung also plans to develop its own platform for use in its Web-connected TVs. Since 2010, the firm has so far sold 50 million smart TVs, Kim said.

“Samsung is about to realize economies of a scale for our Web-connected TV business as we sold over 30 million TVs, already. This year’s total TV sales target is set at 50 million,’’ Kim said.

Smart TVs are those that allow users to download apps, movies and surf the Internet. Unlike the mobile industry, there are no dominant software platforms for Web-connected TVs. Through the new feature, Samsung hopes to fend off price erosion and fatten its profit in the slowing global TV industry. <The Korea Times/Kim Yoo-chul>