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LG Electronics has partnered with Netflix to introduce broadband-enabled HDTVs that will allow content to be streamed directly from the Internet without a set-top box.

LG says the new LCD and plasma HDTVs will be available this spring and will offer access to about 12,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix.

Last year Netflix and LG launched set-top boxes and Blu-ray DVD players that streamed Netflix content directly to TV.

Streaming content from Netflix to the LG HDTVs will rely on a broadband connection and queue based user interface. Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual queues. Their selections will be automatically displayed on members TVs.

LG will introduce four models, two LCDs with 42-inch and 47-inch screens, and two plasma TVs with 50-inch and 60-inch screens. The TVs are expected to cost about $300 more than other HDTVs.

"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."