The "Wall Street Journal" announced that the major TV broadcast networks are being blocked from Google TV with a story headlined as "Networks Block Web Programming from Being Viewed on Google TV." According to "Broadcasting & Cable," this is not the full story as the networks are in talks with Google TV to find a "workable solution."
Marisa Guthrie of "Broadcasting and Cable" reports
"Spokespeople for ABC, CBS and NBC confirmed that they have not made episodes of their long-form content available for Google's searchable Web-based TV."
NBC, who has partnered with Google TV on a CNBC app is still looking into whether they will make their TV shows and other content available.
Marisa explains the situation
"At stake for the networks is the potential cannibalizing effect of true searchable Web-based TV without commensurate monetization potential. Piracy is also an issue as the networks evaluate whether to make their content available over the Google TV platform."
It remains to be seen whether the absence of content straight from the networks' sites has an affect on the Google TV's ability to easily find those blocked TV shows. Network shows are often available for rent or for free from other video sites on the internet. A Google TV user will also be able to search for shows available on their cable or satellite box, or shows recorded and saved on an attached DVR or networked computer.
Stay tuned for a review of Google TV and more news on Google TV's negotiations with the networks.