Sharp Teams With NBC Universal On AQUOS Net-Enabled Sharp AQUOS LCD TVs

Sharp, a worldwide leader in flat-panel Liquid Crystal Display Televisions, announced today an agreement with NBC Universal to bring NBCU content in the form of text and pictures to AQUOS Net connected TVs. Consumers using Sharp AQUOS^® HDTV LCD TVs equipped with AQUOS Net capability will have access to a variety of web-based content from NBCU’s broad portfolio. AQUOS Net is a gateway, available through the Ethernet jack on the television, to several unique services including independently supplied Web-based content.

Sharp AQUOS

“We are eager to develop richer and deeper experiences for NBCU's audience and provide more engagement for our advertising partners using Sharp’s AQUOS Net technology,” said Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, President, NBCU Digital Distribution.

Beginning this month with entertainment news from “Access Hollywood” and extending throughout the year to include iVillage’s Astrology.com horoscopes and various other NBCU network news and sports brands, AQUOS Net TV viewers will be able to view this content in on-screen “widgets” as news items and in either split-screen or full-screen mode. The first of these available widgets, containing “Access Hollywood” content, will offer the most recent entertainment headlines. Selecting the NBCU widget will open a web page to the most recent breaking entertainment news and associated images. And, applications for CNBC and MSNBC will be developed.

“AQUOS Net is customizable and can be upgraded easily, allowing us to add the broad family of content that NBCU provides,” said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. “We are excited to add NBCU to our available services, giving users a wider range of entertainment choices, all without ever having to leave the TV.”

About AQUOS Net

AQUOS Net enables connection to personalized content. Using this service, viewers can configure “widgets” to check everyday information, with a push of a button on the television’s remote control, in either full screen or split screen. Currently available through AQUOS Net is content from Weatherbug to check the local forecast, NASDAQ for stock quotes, Accedo Broadband for casual games such as black jack and Sudoku, UCLICK to follow daily comic strips and AQUOS Gallery, which provides users with beautiful high-resolution 1080p images of scenery and nature.

Through AQUOS Net, consumers also have access to unparalleled customer support for their television, including the ability to have dedicated AQUOS Advantage^SM advisors connect remotely to their TV to assist in adjusting the TV’s settings and optimizing picture quality for the best viewing experience. This interactive tool, known as AQUOS Advantage Live^SM, is easily accessible from the AQUOS Net home page. In addition, AQUOS Net provides consumers with instant access to important information about their television. Consumers can find FAQs that explain HDMI™ connections, HDTV and other TV technology-related features, as well as view the user manual directly on the AQUOS LCD-TV. A “What’s New” page will also be available, outlining exciting new products and news from Sharp.

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