Leading global TV vendors Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Sony, gained market share and increased their on-year shares of LCD TV shipments by an average of 11% in 2014, which is higher than the market average. According to IHS, the top three TV brands purchased more than one third (37%) of the total global TV panel supply in 2014, and they will continue to increase their share in 2015. Overall, the top three brands are expected to grow their LCD TV shipments 16% on year to reach 110 million units or 42% of all TV panel shipments they want to secure from their suppliers in 2015.

"Based on very optimistic shipment targets, the panel-allocation dominance of these three companies -- and Samsung, in particular -- will be even more pronounced, which will put more competitive pressure on smaller competitors," said Deborah Yang, display supply chain research director for IHS. "The three leading TV manufacturers will, therefore, have greater influence over the global panel supply this year, causing panel makers to list them as first priority customers."

In the LCD TV industry, the companies controlling panel allocations during a shortage will garner the most market share. Companies that purchase panels at competitive prices during an over-supply can also save on costs, which helps raise profits. TV makers also prefer a shortage to an over-supply, because a shortage can stimulate consumer purchases; in an over-supply situation, prices fall quickly, which encourages consumers to postpone purchases, while they wait for even better bargains, the firm said.

"For Samsung, LG, and Sony, it makes sense to obtain large allocations and make the market tighter, especially when they dominate purchasing and can influence panel allocation," Yang said. "Meanwhile, panel makers are encouraged to support them, because they must look for long-term winners, rather than just supporting smaller, niche players."