NBC May Stream Itself

General Electric (NYSE: GE) said it struck a deal to create its own brand of HDTVs and set-top boxes. The behemoth defense contractor and parent company of NBC partnered with Taiwanese display maker Tatung to create General Displays and Technologies. GE took a 49 percent stake in the venture, created to make TVs and set-tops that could directly access the Internet. Production is expected to begin next year with a first year goal of building 2 million TV sets, according to wire reports. The sets are expected to reach retail shelves by April. PC Magazine said the sets will come with screen sizes ranging from 19 to 65 inches, and feature LED backlighting. A concurrent IPTV initiative will begin with production of a set-top designed to stream SD and HD content from NBC Universal networks and Web sites.

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