Google TV Hits Network Roadblock Over Content Piracy Concerns

Google is facing ongoing problems accessing streaming content through Google TV, according to the WSJ, with networks ABC, CBS and NBC all confirming that they were blocking the system.  No official reasons for the block have been made public, but sources familiar with the matter are partially blaming studio concerns over the presence of pirated content showing up in Google TV searches.

That unofficial content, and the potential that "shows would be lost in the larger Internet" have led to a roadblock in negotiations.  Disney, for instance, had apparently requested that Google filter searches for the studio's shows, but "were unsatisfied with Google's response" say the insiders.  That's despite Google's own assurances, it's claimed, that search results already prioritize official sources and that there are well-established methods to report pirated material.

"Google TV enables access to all the Web content you already get today on your phone and PC, but it is ultimately the content owners' choice to restrict their fans from accessing their content on the platform" a Google spokesperson said.  That's likely to prove little consolation to new Google TV device owners, though, who find that they could watch more shows by hooking a regular notebook up to their TV than by shelling out $300+ for the new hardware.