The whole blocking of Google TV by networks?

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/10/fox-com-joins-nbc-abc-and-cbs-by-blocking-google-tv/

Looks like Fox has finally made a decision, following the other major networks, Hulu and several cable channels by opting to block streaming video on its website from Google TV devices. Blocking by Flash ID is the order of the day and takes simple browser workarounds out of play, so unless users want to go the PlayOn route, there's large swaths of legitimate video on the web that's now inaccessible. This same type of blocking is likely to affect other devices like the Boxee Box that launches tonight, so prepare for a bit more preening by the "get an HTPC!" crowd while fans of dedicated media streamers will have to look elsewhere for video to feed their hardware.

This piss anyone else off? Way to help your viewing figures guys, you are really encouraging the piracy thing here.

 

[Ns1]

obligatory ns1 anti piracy rant.

 

[Fritzo]

More like it's going to make Google's box fail if they don't fix it soon.

 

[Anonemous]

This is dumb, blocking google tv is like blocking only certain laptops from accessing the TV sites...

 

[Bateluer]

I wonder how long it'll be before a work around is found?

Second, if I was a company that made a Google TV box, such as Logitech, I'd be pretty furious at networks right now for intentionally crippling my product as it launches.

 

[Ns1]

I wonder how long it'll be before a work around is found?

Second, if I was a company that made a Google TV box, such as Logitech, I'd be pretty furious at networks right now for intentionally crippling my product as it launches.

If I was a company that makes shows, such as NBC, I'd be pretty furious at Google for developing a product that takes away my ad dollars.

 

[slayer202]

If I was a company that makes shows, such as NBC, I'd be pretty furious at Google for developing a product that takes away my ad dollars.

how is it doing any such thing?


too bad. it is overpriced, but googletv is pretty neat

 

[Soccerman06]

Maybe Google should block all links to Fox affiliates from its search engine. Tit for tat?

 

[phreaqe]

the networks need to get with the times. i thought for sure with the launch of hulu they were finally starting to get it, but it just seems like it hasn't clicked for them yet. online distribution is how things will be in the future, there is no question about it. its not like google is blocking the ads they are playing, so in reality its no different then me watching it on my computer, its just that the computer is plugged into the tv. i think that the first company that really embraces the whole online thing will come out on top in the end.

 

[Legendary]

good thing piracy is still so damn easy
wdtv live box + internets = who gives a fuck

 

[TechBoyJK]

i got linux mint on a p4 with 2gb of ram in a small case and it's just fine for me.

 

[Homerboy]

good thing piracy is still so damn easy
XBMC + SABnzbd + SickBeard + internets = who gives a fuck

DING! (and fixed)

 

[Zee]

how about they reprogram the tv's to stop broadcasting it's id?

 

[Young Grasshopper]

its not like google is blocking the ads they are playing, so in reality its no different then me watching it on my computer, its just that the computer is plugged into the tv. i think that the first company that really embraces the whole online thing will come out on top in the end.

the problem is if people are watching tv via the internet and not thru a tv set, there is no reason for someone to pay for a cable subscription, which means less $$$ from cable operators to the networks.

 

[Phokus]

FCC needs to fuck these idiots up

 

[Phokus]

the problem is if people are watching tv via the internet and not thru a tv set, there is no reason for someone to pay for a cable subscription, which means less $$$ from cable operators to the networks.

No, the biggest reason why they're doing that is because internet TV gives a much more accurate viewership count than traditional cable/OTA TV.

With regular tv, the TV execs can tell advertisers, "Well, we had around 10 to 30 million viewers for Glee last night"

With internet TV, they can give you an exact number of viewers and that's less profitable.

 

[Capt Caveman]

FCC needs to fuck these idiots up

For what? Protecting their content from an unauthorized provider?

I wonder how long it'll be before a work around is found?

Second, if I was a company that made a Google TV box, such as Logitech, I'd be pretty furious at networks right now for intentionally crippling my product as it launches.

They should be furious at Google for not working out deals with the networks. Google wants to make money-off of the network for free.

 

[Ns1]

For what? Protecting their content from an unauthorized provider?

I can't get this content the way I want it, therefore the FCC needs to get involved.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I can't get this content the way I want it, therefore the FCC needs to get involved.

You're joking right? Do you have a right to this content? No. Do you have to pay for it thru cable? Yes. Do the networks get a piece of that action thru cable? Yes.

Why can't you just go to the network and stream it from there?

 

[Brainonska511]

This is part of the reason I'm contemplating building a cheapo HTPC (and maybe get TV tuners as well to make it also a DVR) instead of getting a set-top box of any variety.

 

[Ns1]

You're joking right? Do you have a right to this content? No. Do you have to pay for it thru cable? Yes. Do the networks get a piece of that action thru cable? Yes.

Why can't you just go to the network and stream it from there?

I have an extra sarcasm meter I can send to you, just pay me back shipping.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I have an extra sarcasm meter I can send to you, just pay me back shipping.

Sorry. I should have read your prior posts in the thread to determine your tone.

 

[mugs]

This is dumb, blocking google tv is like blocking only certain laptops from accessing the TV sites...

If they could block only the laptops (or PCs) that are connected to TVs, they would.

how is it doing any such thing?

Networks don't want Internet streaming to be your primary means of watching TV, because they put fewer ads in the streams. They're willing to let you stream for a couple of reasons -
1. It helps people avoid abandoning a show because they've fallen behind
2. It can attract new viewers to a show, because streams can be watched any time during the week
3. It generates slightly more revenue for the networks than when you pirate their shows.

Streams of TV shows only exist to get you to watch more shows on TV, because that's where they make their money (along with DVD sales). They know people would rather watch on their TV than their computer, so it's "safe" to let people stream if it's going to result in more TV viewers. Google is giving people an easy way to put those streams on their TV. There have always been ways to do that, but none of them appeal to non-technical people.

It's pretty obvious why the networks don't like Google TV.