Digital Home Thoughts: TV Networks Block Google TV From Accessing Their Content

"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."

This is a move that really isn't very surprising. The TV networks were never going to allow Google to display any of their content without receiving royalties to display it. I can understand that the TV networks are a business and they have to protect their content, but I do wonder why Google didn't work with the networks in advance to sort this out before releasing the product? 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. 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.