Google announced earlier their new service, which allows cable, satellite, and web content through TVs and set-top boxes, is set to come out in the fall of this year. Google has partnered with both Sony and Logitech to provide the first devices which will have Google TV integrated into their HDTVs, and Dish providing their content via HDMI.
With Google TV, powered by Android, web content is more user-friendly and you have access to the market’s more than 30,000 apps. Since this is Google we are talking about, expect to see ads. How they are placed within the programming or web browsing is unclear. Recently, Google met with the four major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC to discuss collaboration with the service, but has been met with opposition.
The networks are threatened by the likelihood that the number of subscribers will decrease if a service, like google tv, would provide free content to their favorite shows. They already provide their own shows online with a few placed ads, but Google TV aims to merge both online content and what they watch on TV into one outlet. While the number of people watching video online go up, networks are struggling to find ways to keep their subscribers interested. Allowing their shows on other websites, such as Hulu, iTunes, and Amazon has further increased their ad revenues. Since they receive revenue from commercials on TV and ads online, they fear they could lose a large part of that. Of the four major networks, it seems that CBS has shown to be the least resistant, one can only hope the other major networks follow suit, unless they want to get left behind.