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Panasonic to sell Internet-ready TVs

After taking the Internet by storm, YouTube will soon be on TV.

The Japanese giant behind Panasonic said yesterday it would introduce Internet-ready plasma TVs in North America in spring that allow users to watch YouTube and see photos from Google-based Web albums.

"This is the first time mainstream consumers will be able to easily enjoy YouTube videos from the living room with the enhanced quality of a fully integrated widescreen TV experience," Matsushita Electric Industrial Co said.

Rival Sony Corp also announced that it would launch televisions offering access to free Internet video content from providers -- including AOL, Yahoo, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony BMG Music -- in spring.

The TVs will be able to receive streaming broadband video, including high-definition content, Sony said. Both announcements were made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"Internet video will clearly be the next step in the evolution of high-definition television, giving users more control over the content they view," Sony Electronics senior vice president Randy Waynick said.

Sony Pictures Television also announced that it would put some of its content on YouTube through channels supported by advertising.

The first channel, called Minisode Network, will offer five-minute versions of TV shows.

Since buying YouTube in 2006 for US$1.65 billion, Google has been under fire for not doing more to stop users from posting copyrighted clips.
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