We knew it was only a matter of time before we’d be able to see Netflix rentals direct to our TVs. First up: naturally LG, the company that first brought Netflix streaming to Blu-ray.

LG has announced that its new LCD and plasma HDTVs—“broadband HDTVs”—will join its BD300 Blu-ray player in the company’s offerings as being able to stream the “Watch Instantly” selections from Netflix.

The TVs will be shown off this week at CES 2009 in Las Vegas. The big question when Netflix streaming to Blu-ray was announced last year was whether it would have the capability to stream high-def content. That was answered a few months later—after Netflix began extending its reach to Xbox 360 and Samsung Blu-ray—as LG added the HD capability (early Netflix streamer Roku added it soon after too). LG has already answered that question for the broadband HDTVS—yes, they’ll stream HD Netflix.

“LG Electronics was first to embrace Netflix as a streaming partner a year ago, and was first in 2008 to introduce a Blu-ray disc player that streams movies from Netflix,” said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.  “So it’s fitting that LG is the first to introduce Netflix instant streaming directly to the TV with these next-generation HDTVs.”

Netflix members with an $8.99 per month subscription or higher tier will be able to continue using the PC to queue up their choices from the 12,000-plus selections available to stream, and then use the remote control to scroll through on the TV screen and pick one out, which should then boot up in as little as 30 seconds.

No word on TV sizes, pricing or rollout yet, but LG has also mentioned that it has five new Blu-ray players coming as well for 2009. Sounds like life’s indeed good, especially for Netflix subscribers.

Read the entire press release here.

About the Author:
Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!