Samsung Electronics’ television chief Kim Hyun-suk said Tuesday that the world’s top TV maker aimed to double the market share of its rival in the premium lineup of 60-inch and larger TVs in 2013.

“We will work toward more than doubling the gap in the premium TV market and becoming the No.1 player in that sector,” he said on the sidelines of its TV launch event in southern Seoul.

The comment comes after the company said it expected the lineup of big-screen TVs of 60 inches and larger to grow more than 30 percent this year.

In a related effort, Samsung is launching a number of smart and 85-inch Ultra High Definition TVs beginning this weekend.

It is rolling out about 70 “F8000” models included in 16 different series, which range from 46-inch to 75-inch displays.

The company also introduced a remote control with a touchpad on which users can write the number of a channel to switch to it.

“With the latest technology, Samsung is striving to offer the ultimate lean-back experience for our consumers so that they can watch TV programs in the most comfortable environment,” said Kim.

Samsung’s evolution kit, which is the world’s first, is also available this year, indicating that those who purchased Samsung TVs last year would be able to enjoy the smart TV hardware and software functions of this year’s models, according to Samsung officials.

The kit will be offered at 300,000 won, half of its original price of 600,000 won.

“Through the release of the evolution kit, TVs will be divided into ones that evolve and ones that don’t,” Kim said. “A real smart TV is one that can always provide new experiences and make further progress.”

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)