Google box
Google is believed to be in serious talks with some of the US' biggest TV networks after they blocked users of just-launched Google TV from accessing their websites and with it some of their most popular shows.
Three TV giants have stopped Google TV owners from accessing the web-based versions for their programmes via the new web TV service in a big blow to Google, which only rolled out its IPTV offering mere weeks ago, Reuters reported. The problem will not help Google in competing with the likes of Apple TV to fight for a place in American living rooms.
Walk Disney and NBC Universal reportedly blocked access to their shows on their websites, while CBS has stopped Google TV owners watching full-length episodes of some of its top programmes, like CSI. Anonymous sources told the news service that Fox may block access to some of its shows too but has not decided whether to do so yet.
Google TV launched this month in the US and is built into devices by Sony and Logitech. It is believed the platform could open huge advertising doors for the web giant, following a similar strategy to its web business. It is likely that broadcasters are not too pleased with the idea Google could poach some of their precious ad business and may be threatened by Google TV.
Van Baker, an analyst at Gartner, told the news service: "Everybody knows the lock that Google has on Internet traffic in terms of advertising. If you take that model and you extend it to television, suddenly Google's power becomes enormous in the advertising space and the broadcasters don't like that idea."
However, Google has reportedly said its service only gives customers access to web content alredy accessible through PCs or phones, but acknowledged it is up to the content owner to decide whether shows will be available on its platform.
