Small TVs are all 720p or maybe 1080p. Computer monitors stop being 1080p at about 22".
Widescreen is popular because monitors are sold by diagonal, and the more rectangular the screen, the cheaper it is to have a big number. (The other interesting scheme going on these days is lying about the diagonal. My 31.5" monitor is called "32 inch class". My 64" TV is called 65 "inch class". WTF!?)
> The other interesting scheme going on these days is lying about the diagonal. My 31.5" monitor is called "32 inch class". My 64" TV is called 65 "inch class". WTF!?
This scam has been going on long before LCDs. CRT marketing also chronically stretched the truth.