TV or not TV - Google's TV partners omit major networks

Oct 5, 2010, 13:23 GMT

San Francisco - Google announced its content partners for its new television technology on Monday, but the list failed to mention any of the three major US networks - ABC, NBC or CBS.

The device, called Google TV, aims to leverage the company's renowned prowess in search and software to help viewers make sense of the hundreds of cable channels on offer, as well as allow them to use their TV sets to find and watch online video.

It will also include Google's Chrome browser to enable TV watchers to surf the internet using their television screens.

Google product manager Ambarish Kenghe said in a blog posting that the company had partnered with Turner Broadcasting to optimize the viewing of channels like TNT, CNN and Cartoon Network through Google TV.

HBO will also bring its programming to Google TV, while online streaming video companies like Amazon and Netflix will offer access to their huge libraries of content.

The first Google TV devices will launch this month - including a set-top device from Logitech and built-on internet televisions and Blu-ray players from Sony.

Google's announcement came as Apple launched its 99-dollar Apple TV device that allows users to easily download movies and shows directly to their televisions from Apple's iTunes. The device has less content available than its Google rival because of the reluctance by major media companies to pay the high commissions Apple is demanding on all revenues earned through its service.