January 8, 2008
Japan's Flat-TV makers moving theatre of battle to online war
The battleground in flat-panel televisions appears to be shifting from screen size and image quality to the ability to access online content, with major Japanese firms unveiling plans to launch online video distribution services for TVs a day ahead of Monday's public opening of the International Consumer Electronics Show. Trading Markets reports.
"In a rare tie-up between a consumer electronics manufacturer and a TV broadcaster, Sony Corp. has joined with U.S. media company CBS Corp. to begin online distribution this month of CBS TV dramas and sports programming for its Internet LCD TVs. The service, which lets users watch shows of their choice whenever they want, will likely charge fees for some content.
Following the release of Internet-capable models of its Bravia LCD TV lineup last year, expanding exclusive content for the models has been an urgent priority for Sony's flat-TV business.
On the eve of the International CES, South Koreea's LG Electronics Inc aid it has teamed up with a Silicon Valley firm to begin a service that distributes movies and other video content to TVs over the Net without using personal computers. The "launch date and fees have yet to be determined, according to the South Korean firm."
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