Netflix, LG to stream HD movies

Internet DVD firm Netflix and LG Electronics are teaming up with a plan to stream movies straight to high definition televisions.

They hope to use the internet and a new LG set-top player to broadcast direct to sets.

Netflix's seven million members can already watch movies and television programmes through its website using a computer. They hope to extend this to direct-to-TV streaming in the second half of this year.

Netflix chairman and chief executive Reed Hastings said it had considered making its own set-top boxes but decided on LG as a safer option.

"Internet to the TV is a huge opportunity," he commented. "Netflix explored also offering its own Netflix-branded set-top boxes but we concluded that familiar consumer electronics devices from industry leaders like LG Electronics are a better consumer solution for getting the internet to the TV."

LG Electronics consumer division president Ki Kwon added: "This alliance underscores LG's goal of developing smart technologies that deliver flexibility, convenience and control to consumers."