In an effort to avoid the inevitable information overload that will surely come later this week as CES officially gets underway, LG Electronics and Netflix, Inc. announced today the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, requiring no external device. LG's new LCD and plasma “Broadband HDTVs” will display the growing library of movies, TV episodes and high-definition (HD) content (currently over 12,000 titles total) that Netflix members can watch instantly directly on the TV.
Use of the feature requires a broadband internet connection as well as a Netflix membership in one of their "unlimited" plans (starting at $8.99/month). There is currently no per-rental fee and Netflix customers continue to receive their movies by mail (on DVD or Blu-ray Disc) per the terms of their existing contract.
Availability of the new plasma and LCD HDTV models is expected for this Spring. These TVs join the BD300 Blu-ray player as well as five upcoming new models of Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems planned for 2009 in providing built-in Netflix online streaming. The new TVs will be on display in Las Vegas this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2009).
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