Logitech has uvneiled the Revue, the first device to feature the Google TV interface. (Logitech)
ABC, CBS and NBC are blocking TV programming on their websites from being viewable on Google's new Web-TV service -- exposing the rift that remains between the technology giant and some of the media companies it wants to supply content for its new products.
Full-length episodes of shows like NBC's "The Office," CBS's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and ABC's "Modern Family" can't be viewed on Google TV, a service that allows people to access the Internet and search for Web videos on their television screens, as well as to search live TV listings. Logitech and Sony began selling devices running the software this month.
Spokespeople for the three networks confirmed that they are blocking the episodes on their websites from playing on Google TV, although both ABC and NBC allow promotional clips to work using the service.
"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 spokeswoman said in a statement.
The move marks an escalation in ongoing disputes between Google and some media companies, which are skeptical that Google can provide a business model that would compensate them for potentially cannibalizing existing broadcast businesses.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal.
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