Sony Philippines, Inc. launched Wednesday a new line of CRT TVs under its Sony Wega brand. Local sales of Sony CRT TVs grew by 30 percent year-on-year in its recent previous fiscal year ending March.

'There is still a market (for CRT TVs) especially in the provinces,' said Mr. Arnold Balao, deputy director for home audio video product marketing, Sony Philippines.

Sony's new line of Wega TVs is targeted at the mass consumer market. In particular, Balao said Sony will continue to target the segment of the market for 21-inch TVs, which accounted for most of the growth in Sony's local TV business in its recent fiscal year.

Sony's new line of 21-inch CRT TVs are priced from P10,000 (US$190) to P15,000. The higher-end 29-inch models range from P27,000 to P29,000.

Sony introduced late last year its Bravia line of LCD TVs, which, according to Sony's estimates, holds about 40 percent share of the local market for flat screen TVs.