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View Full Version : TV Networks Block Google TV From Accessing Their Content

Andy Dixon
10-27-2010, 02:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303339504575566572021412854.html?mod=dist_smartbrief' target='_blank'>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...dist_smartbrief</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"ABC, CBS and NBC are blocking TV programming on their websites from being viewable on Google Inc.'s new Web-TV service, exposing the rift that remains between the technology giant and some of the media companies it wants to supply content for its new products. Full-length episodes of shows like NBC's "The Office," CBS's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and ABC's "Modern Family" can't be viewed on Google TV, a service that allows people to access the Internet and search for Web videos on their television screens, as well as to search live TV listings. Logitech International S.A. and Sony Corp. began selling devices running the software this month."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1288133667.usr11334.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>This is a move that really isn't very surprising.&nbsp; The&nbsp;TV networks were never going to allow Google to display any of their content without receiving royalties to display it.&nbsp; I can understand that the TV networks are&nbsp;a business and they have to protect their content,&nbsp;but I do wonder&nbsp;why Google didn't work with the networks in advance to sort this out before releasing the product?&nbsp; I am sure it will all get sorted and the content will become available again, but in the meantime it's the consumer that suffers, and ultimately, Google TV as a product.&nbsp; On the flip side the TV networks need to realise that with Google TV there is the potential for access to a huge market out there and they should be working to establish fair and cost effective means of allowing the public to their shows.&nbsp;</p>
whydidnt
10-28-2010, 10:16 PM
The TV networks were never going to allow Google to display any of their content without receiving royalties to display it.

I don't understand this line of reasoning. Google is not re-broadcasting the network signal. They are simply making it easier for people to access what the Networks are already providing. Why should viewing a network show on Google TV be restricted any more than pulling that same show up in web browser on my PC that uses my 50" plasma as a display? There is no technical difference.

I recognize the networks don't want to lose the cash cow known as cable and satellite providers, but that horse has already left the barn. You would think one of these established industries would be smart enough to recognize that innovation is going to happen, and they can either hop on and profit from the change or get run over by it the same way the recording industry was.

Making it MORE difficult to access content the companies themselves are freely making available on-line makes it just that much harder for the company to capture the eyes and wallets they so desire. Successful companies don't succeed by making it harder for potential customers to access their product, they succeed by removing obstacles to access and making their customers happy.

I'm quite certain that Google will cave and end up paying some sort of royalty, but I wish they wouldn't. I would think that with all this talk of net-neutrality they are the one company with the financial and legal might to force the network's hands. Don't want your show on Google TV, fine, then don't make available for free on the internet.