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TV Prices Follow a Predictable Annual Cycle
Television pricing is one of the most seasonal product categories in consumer electronics. Prices peak at certain times and crater at others, following a pattern driven by new model releases, retail inventory cycles, and major shopping holidays. If you understand this cycle, you can save hundreds of dollars simply by timing your purchase correctly.
We analyzed 12 months of TV pricing data across every major retailer on PriceMirage. The patterns are consistent and actionable. Here is what you need to know about buying a TV in each month of 2026.
January: Post-Holiday Clearance
January offers solid deals as retailers clear unsold holiday inventory. TVs that were priced for Black Friday and Christmas gifting get marked down further to make room for new models announced at CES. Budget and mid-range models from the previous year see the biggest cuts, typically 15 to 25 percent below their holiday sale prices. Premium OLEDs stay relatively stable because demand at the high end is less seasonal.
The CES announcements in early January also create psychological downward pressure. Even though new models will not hit shelves for months, the announcement of newer technology makes current models feel less desirable, pushing retailers to lower prices.
February: Super Bowl Sales
February is one of the best months to buy a TV. Super Bowl sales are a genuine retail event with meaningful discounts. Retailers know that millions of people want a new TV before the big game, but competition for those buyers is fierce. Large screen sizes, 65 inches and above, see the steepest February discounts because they are the most popular for sports viewing.
The best Super Bowl TV deals typically appear two to three weeks before the game and run through the following weekend. After that, prices bounce back toward their baseline. If you are shopping for a big screen, February delivers pricing that rivals Black Friday on select models.
March and April: Spring Transition
March is an underrated month for TV deals. New 2026 models start arriving, triggering clearance pricing on 2025 inventory. This is the last window to buy previous-year models at steep discounts before remaining stock sells out. Tax refund spending also pushes retailers to run spring promotions targeting budget-conscious shoppers.
April tends to be quieter. Prices stabilize as new model inventory fills the shelves. Discounts are modest compared to March, but you can still find reasonable deals on entry-level and mid-range sets. This is a fine time to buy if you need a TV but not the best time if you can wait.
May and June: Memorial Day and Slow Season
Memorial Day weekend brings a solid round of TV sales, typically the best pricing between the Super Bowl and Prime Day. Expect 10 to 20 percent off across most categories, with some doorbuster deals matching March clearance pricing on select models. Samsung and LG tend to participate most aggressively in Memorial Day TV promotions.
June is generally flat for TV pricing. Retailers are holding inventory for Prime Day in July and there is little motivation to discount. Unless you find an exceptional individual deal, June is a month to wait rather than buy.
July and August: Prime Day and Summer Deals
Amazon Prime Day in July is one of the two best TV buying events of the year. Amazon offers aggressive pricing on its own Fire TV models and competitive deals on Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense sets. Other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart run competing sales during the same window, creating a broad market-wide discount event.
August brings a second wave of seasonal TV deals. Back-to-school promotions and the need to move summer inventory before the fall lineup arrives create opportunities, especially on smaller screen sizes popular for dorm rooms and secondary rooms. Budget 40 to 55-inch TVs see their best August pricing.
September and October: The Worst Time to Buy
September and October are historically the worst months to buy a TV. Prices sit near their annual highs as retailers hold steady before the Black Friday rush. New model inventory is fully stocked at retail pricing and there is no competitive pressure to discount. Unless you absolutely cannot wait, avoid buying a TV in September or October.
The exception is Amazon's October Prime Event, which has emerged as a secondary Prime Day. Deals during this event can be strong, but they are typically narrower in scope than July Prime Day, covering fewer models with smaller discounts.
November and December: Black Friday and Holiday
Black Friday week through Cyber Monday offers the lowest TV prices of the year on most models. Premium OLEDs, large-screen Mini LEDs, and mid-range sets all hit their annual floor during this period. If you have the flexibility to wait for Black Friday, this is statistically the best time to buy.
December pricing stays competitive through the holiday shopping season but gradually rises after mid-December as popular models sell out. Last-minute holiday shoppers pay a premium compared to Black Friday buyers. If you are buying a TV as a gift, shop during Black Friday week for the best price.
Your 2026 TV Buying Strategy
The optimal strategy depends on what you want to buy. For previous-year models, buy in January through March during clearance. For current-year models, wait for Prime Day in July or Black Friday in November. For budget TVs, February Super Bowl sales and August back-to-school promotions offer the best value.
Regardless of timing, always compare prices across retailers before purchasing. Use PriceMirage deals to see real-time pricing from every major store and check the price history chart to confirm you are getting a genuine discount. Setting a price alert on PriceMirage electronics ensures you never miss when your target TV drops to its lowest price.