A plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) for a backlight of a display device are connected, each in series with a respective variable inductance, in parallel to an AC supply from a power converter. Each variable inductor comprises a first inductor in series with the CCFL, a second inductor inductively coupled to the first inductor, and an AC switch for selectively shorting the second inductor. A capacitor in parallel with the first inductor forms a resonant circuit tuned to the AC supply frequency when the switch is open. Each switch is opened and closed with a controlled duty cycle to provide individual control of an average current of each CCFL.