LG Electronics Expands TV Platform Business... Launches 'webOS Hub'

Hardware features OLED, software bets on webOS
Number of webOS TV launching companies grows to around 200 this year

LG Electronics recently launched the upgraded webOS Hub, a significantly enhanced smart TV platform supplied to external companies. The photo shows an LG Electronics model watching a smart TV equipped with webOS Hub. [Photo by LG Electronics]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Yeju] LG Electronics announced on the 6th that it has launched 'webOS Hub,' a significantly upgraded version of the webOS platform supplied to external TV manufacturers.

First, webOS Hub newly incorporates cloud gaming services. Not only LG Smart TV users but also users of other manufacturers' webOS TVs can enjoy various games without purchasing additional devices. In addition to existing supported online video services (OTT) such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, services like Paramount+ and Wavve TV are also included. LG Electronics plans to continuously enhance the content supported by webOS Hub and accelerate the establishment of the webOS ecosystem. To this end, it is collaborating with over 1,000 content providers (CPs) worldwide and offers packages including content, broadcasting certification, and various solutions required by platform purchasers.

Home customization is also supported. Previously, only pre-configured screens could be used, but now companies can add their own logos or change background colors to create brand-unique screens directly.

The OLED TV-exclusive platform, introduced for the first time in the industry, incorporates a wealth of OLED TV technology and know-how secured by LG Electronics. It supports various specialized features, including OLED image processing technology, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and a gaming board that adjusts image quality and sound according to gaming characteristics. By the end of the year, external companies are expected to launch new webOS-based OLED TVs.

LG Electronics is accelerating its webOS platform business as part of expanding its TV business portfolio from hardware-focused areas such as development and production to content and service sectors. The strategy is to lead with OLED TVs in hardware and differentiate the TV viewing experience by enhancing content and services through webOS in software.

Since last year, LG Electronics has been supplying its proprietary smart TV operating system webOS as a software package to external parties. The number of brands choosing webOS as their smart TV platform has increased from about 20 last year to over 200 this year.

Park Hyung-se, head of LG Electronics' HE Business Division, said, "We will accelerate the establishment of the smart TV platform ecosystem by leveraging webOS, which boasts overwhelming ease of use, and deliver differentiated viewing experiences to more customers."