Skip to main content

Google TV lineup omits major networks

Google TV
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google has unveiled the first set of content partners who will provide content for its forthcoming Google TV platform that aims to bring the Internet and traditional television together in the comfort of consumers’ living rooms. And while the initial lineup of partners for the service includes many big names—among them Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, HBO, CNBC, and Twitter—it’s perhaps more notable who is not on the list: no major U.S. broadcast networks. The likes of Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC have opted not to participate in Google TV…at least for the time being.

“Since our announcement, we’ve been overwhelmed by interest from partners on how they can use the Google TV platform to personalize, monetize, and distribute their content in new ways,” wrote Google TV developer product manager Ambarish Kenghe in the Google TV blog. “Most of these partner sites already work with Google TV, but many are choosing to further enhance their premium web content for viewing on the television.”

Recommended Videos

Among the major content producers on board with Google TV are HBO, which will offer “authenticated subscribers” on-demand access to HBO’s content via an enhanced Web site designed for Google TV. NBC Universal—now majority-owned by Comcast—will be producing a CNBC Real-Time app for Google TV enabling users to keep on top of financial and stock news. The National Basketball Association is contributing an app that offers high-definition game highlights and real-time scores, and Turner Broadcasting is optimizing their “most popular Web sites” for viewing on Google TV, including services like CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS, and TNT.

Google isn’t going it alone with these partners, however: The New York Times and USA Today are also on board as news sites, and Google TV will be able to tap into music services like Pandora, VEVO, and Napster, online networks like blip.tv, and (of course) Twitter.

Although content partners are one measure of how consumers might response to Google TV, some industry watchers note that the magic trick of Google TV may not be so much in offering content as in creating a successful marriage of television and the Web. Google TV aims to one-up existing Internet-enabled television add-ons by enabling users to seamlessly search for information or interact with their Web-based social networks while watching TV. And, of course, television is still the largest market for advertisers in the United States—and Google would dearly like to tap into that revenue stream.

Consumer electronics with Google TV capability should become available in the coming weeks; first out the door will likely be Blu-ray players and high-definition televisions from Sony with Google TV capability built in, along with the Logitech Revue, a set-top box designed to integrate Google TV with existing television setups.

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
The 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV is $400 off, but not for long
Samsung's 65-inch Class 'The Frame' QLED 4K Smart TV displaying a famous oil painting.

Samsung's The Frame QLED 4K TV rarely appears in the TV deals at Best Buy, so you don't want to miss this chance at savings from the retailer's Samsung Savings Event. The unique TV's 65-inch model is currently $400 off, which brings its price down to $1,600 from $2,000. There's also a bundle that combines the 65-inch Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV with the Samsung HW-Q930D 9.1.4-channel soundbar, and that is $800 off, for a package price of $2,600 instead of $3,400. If you're interested in making either purchase, you better hurry as the sale ends on October 20, and there's no assurance that stocks will still be available by then.
65-inch Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV -- $1,600, was $2,000

65-inch Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV with Samsung HW-Q930D 9.1.4-channel soundbar -- $2,600, was $3,400

Read more
You can now test drive the Google Home panel, AI art on Chromecast
Chromecast with Google TV in front of a television showing the Google Home Panel.

If you have a Chromecast with Google TV and have been looking longingly at Google TV Streamer and its ability to view camera feeds and adjust temperature and turn lights off and on, you can now get in on the fun. Also available is the custom AI ambient art that you can use as screensavers. You'll first need to enable the "Public Preview" function in Google Home (which takes just a couple clicks either in the app or on the website) and wait for it to appear.

It looks like this is a server-side option — my Chromecast didn't receive an additional system update beyond the one I got earlier this week. Once that switch has been flipped, you'll see Google Home as an option in the notifications menu. And that gives you the same two options that are available on the Google TV Streamer: You can opt to turn on the home panel, and enable doorbell notifications on your TV.

Read more
This 65-inch Samsung QLED TV is half-price after a $1,400 discount
An erupting volcano against a sky a dusk on a Samsung QN90C.

For those who are on the hunt for QLED TV deals, there's probably nothing out there right now that can provide better value than Samsung's offer for the 65-inch Samsung QN90C Neo QLED 4K TV. Its 65-inch model is currently half-price at just $1,400, which is an excellent price for this display. We're not sure how much time is remaining on this $1,400 discount on its sticker price of $2,800 though, so you have to hurry with your transaction if you want the savings. If you want another size, you're in luck because most of the models of the QLED TV are on sale, starting from $1,100 instead of $1,200 for the 43-inch model after a $100 discount, to $2,800 instead of $3,300 for the 75-inch model after a $500 discount.

Why you should buy the 65-inch Samsung QN90C Neo QLED 4K TV
The Samsung QN90C Neo QLED 4K TV is the runner-up in our list of the best QLED TVs, with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. We applauded its class-leading HDR performance and outstanding color performance, which will let you enjoy your favorite shows and movies even more. The TV also offers Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 4K for further optimized picture detail, and the Tizen operating system for access to all of the popular streaming services.

Read more