US online DVD rental service Netflix and Korean electronics-giant LG have announced they are working on a set-top box which will stream movies directly over the internet to a television set. Netflix has long said it wishes to branch out from its internet movie delivery feature, which allows members to play content on their PC from a library of over 6,000 movies and TV shows. The device, which is set to launch in the US market at some point during the second half of 2008, will allow users to access Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” streaming service from their TVs. Subscribers will still need to use their computer to pick out the content they want to watch, but it will download directly to the set-top. Originally, Netflix started as an online DVD rental service.“Internet to the TV is a huge opportunity,” said Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings to the Reuters news agency. “We believe streaming is the way to go,” he added.
About Robert Briel
Arnhem-based Robert covers the Benelux, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as IPTV, web TV, connected TV and OTT. Email Robert at rbriel@broadbandtvnews.com.