LG Announces First Blu-ray Disc Player With Capability to Instantly Stream Movies...

LG Announces First Blu-ray Disc Player With Capability to Instantly Stream
Movies From Netflix to the TV
LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player to be Unveiled Tonight

NEW YORK, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Building on a groundbreaking
technology partnership announced earlier this year, LG Electronics and
Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today announced plans for the first Blu-ray disc
player that will have the added benefit of being able to instantly stream a
growing library of movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080731/AQTH518-a)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080731/AQTH518-b)
Available this fall, the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will play
high definition Blu-ray discs, up-convert standard DVDs to 1080p and allow
Netflix subscribers to instantly stream more than 12,000 choices of movies and
TV episodes from Netflix to the TV for no additional charge.
LG Electronics and Netflix will demonstrate the BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc
Player for the first time tonight at LG's 2008 Summer Line Show at Morgan
Library and Museum in New York City. (The event is open to invited media
only.)
Instantly streaming content from Netflix to the TV via the LG BD300
Network Blu-ray Disc Player will rely on a wired broadband connection and
Queue-based user interface. Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site to
add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues. Those choices
will automatically be displayed on members' TVs and available to watch
instantly through the LG player. Once selected, movies will begin playing in
as little as 30 seconds. With the BD300's accompanying remote control,
Netflix members will be able to browse and make selections right on the TV
screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In
addition, they will have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video
stream.
"As Blu-ray player sales are expected to triple in three years, consumers
are craving content and seeking a premium home entertainment experience," said
LG Electronics USA President Teddy Hwang. "The BD300 is another LG industry
first and provides consumers with an advanced high-def disc player with
unparalleled flexibility and networked access for services such as Netflix."
Consumers craving more content will appreciate the BD Live feature, which
provides real-time interactivity for movie enthusiasts seeking extras, new
previews or special content while BonusView provides picture-in-picture access
to Blu-ray disc special features. To further personalize and simplify the
home theater experience, the BD300 includes LG's SimpLink(TM) technology,
which allows users to control similarly equipped LG TV and AV products via
convenient on-screen menus or directly from the product itself.
In January, prior to the 2008 International CES(R), LG Electronics and
Netflix announced their technology partnership to provide a set-top box for
consumers to stream movies and TV episodes from the Internet to the TV
beginning in the second half of the year.
"LG Electronics is establishing itself as the innovation leader in
consumer electronics, combining the best of broadband and Blu-ray
connectivity," said Netflix Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings. "LG
Electronics was the first of our technology partners to publicly embrace our
strategy for getting the Internet to the TV, and is the first to introduce a
Blu-ray player that will instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix
to the TV."
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North
American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology
leader in home appliances, consumer electronics and mobile communications. In
the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of stylish, innovative
digital appliances, consumer electronics (digital display and digital media)
products and mobile phones under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more
information, please visit http://www.LGusa.com.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (Nadsaq: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental
service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price,
Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch
movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited
amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library
of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any
due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class
mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points.
More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive
shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading
consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly
stream movies and TV episodes to members' TVs from Netflix. For more
information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.
SOURCE Netflix, Inc.

John I. Taylor of LG Electronics USA, Inc., +1-847-941-8181, jtaylor@lge.com;
or Nathan Friedman, +1-312-397-6009, nathan.friedman@ogilvypr.com, for LG
Electronics USA, Inc.; or Steve Swasey of Netflix, Inc., +1-408-540-3947,
sswasey@netflix.com