Netflix, in the next advance of its Internet video-on-demand strategy, will deliver movies and TV shows directly to broadband-enabled LG Electronics HDTVs that will be available this spring—requiring no additional set-top.
LG last fall was among the first of Netflix’s partners to ship a Blu-ray Disc DVD player, the BD300, that lets Netflix subscribers access the movie-rental company’s Internet-streaming service, which offers 12,000 titles.
The companies plan to demonstrate LG’s LCD and plasma HDTVs enabled for Netflix this week at the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas. No pricing or other specs on the TV sets were announced. LG also said it will release five new models of Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems in 2009 that will provide access to the Netflix streaming service.
"Embedding the Netflix streaming software in the television is a natural progression of our partnership with Netflix and our innovative product line," LG Electronics USA president Teddy Hwang said, in a statement.
Netflix members who subscriber to a monthly unlimited plan can use the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant-watching queues. Those choices will automatically be displayed on compatible LG TVs; once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds.
In addition, Netflix members can browse and make selections right on the TV screen using a remote, as well as rate movies.
LG last week announced deals with movie distributor CinemaNow and Google’s YouTube to provide access to their video content through its line of Internet-enabled Blu-ray Disc DVD players.
