GE Partners in Global HDTV Joint Venture

FAIRFIELD, September 23:
GE has formed General Displays & Technologies (GDT), a new joint venture
with Taiwan-based Tatung Company, a leader in display technologies. GDT will
design, market and service GE-branded HDTVs to deliver high-definition video,
audio and Internet to homes.

The first series of
products will be available to consumers in the spring of 2009. In addition to
offering innovative HDTVs, GDT will partner with NBC Universal (NBCU) to
develop an open platform capable of delivering Internet and other digital
content directly through the television.

“We are developing
advanced, Internet capabilities for content delivery to televisions, without
the need for a PC,” said Marc McConnaughey, the CEO of GDT. “This includes
Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) through cable, satellite and advanced fiber optic
television connectivity. The long-term strategy is to allow consumers to
customize their viewing experience by downloading widgets and a variety of
services directly to their HDTVs.”

"This is an exciting
opportunity for NBCU to partner with GE and help design a cutting-edge product
that responds now to consumer desire for a seamless union of high-quality
digital content and Internet engagement, with an ease that still appeals to TV
viewers,” noted Darren Feher, the executive VP and chief technology officer for
NBC Universal.

Ultimately this product
will let consumers view digital HD content from popular websites directly on
their television, coupled with clean in-synch integration with the preferences
and personalization that makes the web so appealing.

Peter Weedfald, the
president for North America at GDT, said, “Sales of LCD TVs have grown 30
percent year over year as flat screen TV prices have fallen, opening up the
market to new consumers. GDT is well poised to become a leader in today’s
rapidly developing digital marketplace and provide the retail channel with
pioneering products to meet this growing demand. In addition, the entire line
of GE-branded HDTVs will be highly energy efficient, ensuring a cost effective
and environmentally sound product for the home.”

“Tatung is thrilled for
the opportunity to both invest and work directly with GDT, GE and NBCU to
develop and deliver new interactive HDTVs and complementary products,” said
W.Y. Lin, the executive VP of the Tatung Company.

—By Anna Carugati