LG Electronics Expands 'LG Channel' Service with Over 110 Free Channels

30 Additional CJ ENM Channels Including Popular Variety Shows and Dramas
Service Accesses More Than Triple Since 2018 Due to Increased Customer Preference Content

LG Electronics is significantly expanding its LG Channels service, which allows customers to watch a variety of content for free on LG TVs connected to the internet. The total number of channels supported by LG Channels in Korea is 112, and the service is also available in major overseas markets such as North America, Europe, and Latin America. Models are introducing LG Channels.

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] LG Electronics announced on the 13th that it will significantly expand the ‘LG Channels’ service, which allows customers to watch various content for free on LG TVs connected to the internet.

This move takes into account the increasing demand for enjoying diverse content on large TVs as customers spend more time at home.

LG Electronics recently added 30 channels from CJ ENM to the ‘LG Channels’ service provided domestically. Including the 82 channels offered together with the online video streaming service (OTT) wavve, the total number of free channels supported by LG Channels in Korea has increased to 112.

Additionally, LG Electronics explained that new channels will be supported starting with the 2020 model TVs equipped with the latest webOS 5.0 operating system. Users of existing products with webOS versions 3.5/4.0/4.5 can also access additional free channels within this year through software updates.

LG Channels is a service that allows users to watch various channels for free on internet-connected OLED TVs, NanoCell TVs, and others without needing a separate set-top box. The service began in 2015. It is useful for single-person households who find subscribing to paid broadcasts burdensome or consumers using two or more TVs in one home.

LG Electronics is diversifying the composition of LG Channels by considering results from the ‘Broadcast Media Usage Survey’ published by the Korea Communications Commission. While increasing the number of channels through collaboration with major content providers, the company is also enhancing content quality focusing on genres preferred by domestic TV viewers such as news/current affairs, entertainment, and dramas.

User responses have also been positive. Compared to 2018, when LG Electronics first introduced wavve on LG Channels, the number of times domestic customers accessed LG Channels has increased more than threefold, and the total viewing time on LG Channels has nearly increased by 2.5 times.

LG Electronics is also continuously expanding the LG Channels service overseas. In North America, where OTT is most widespread, it offers over 180 broadcast channels and more than 2,000 movies for on-demand viewing. The service area has expanded from the United States and Canada to Europe and Latin America since last year.

The company emphasized that the excellent user convenience and openness of LG Electronics’ proprietary software platform, webOS, have greatly contributed to the expansion of the LG Channels service.

Since 2014, webOS has been installed on LG Electronics’ smart devices such as TVs, digital signage, and home appliances, proving its ease of use and stability. Its structure allows new services and technologies to be easily applied, making it convenient for developers to utilize it across various product fields.

Lee Sang-woo, Executive Vice President and Head of HE Content Service Business at LG Electronics, stressed, “Based on the strengths of webOS, we will enable more customers to experience the differentiated value unique to LG TVs.”