HDTV prices to become fixed at MSRP?

It's already happened, it's sort of true. They're forcing retailers to not go below the Minimum Advertised Price by more than $2, or possibly loose their status as authorized dealers. Samsung's MAP is actually pretty competitive and much lower than last year's MSRP and not much more than the 2011's are selling for now. They can still have sales, but the manufacturers will have to dictate when the sales are and when prices lower more. If you pay the MSRP, you're still paying too much.

I know LG has commented on not having a UPP program and will stick with MAP.

But I have not heard anything official from Panasonic.

It seems officially that Sony and Samsung have both adopted the UPP for 2012.

Since Panasonic reported severe losses in the HDTV area last year, I would have assumed they would jump right into the SPP program. Perhaps they have and are just being hush about it.

Anyone know?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1396916


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Thanks for that reference, I went thru the posts there and could not find evidence that Panasonic is entering into UPP program.

That is correct. But they do seem to be clamping down on distribution a bit, such that fewer retailers might wind up with higher-end models. I guess time will tell.

These programs are designed to help retailers. They're bad for manufacturers unless all manufacturers agree to keep factory prices high. Which is illegal in the US.