It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:55 am


All times are UTC




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: IT news: Google Offers Prime-Time Video Streamcasts
PostPosted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:10 am 
Site Admin
Site Admin

Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 7:43 am
Posts: 1818
Location: 100WebSpace's Headquarters
Search engine leader Google Inc. is delving deeper into an unconventional business, offering an Internet streamcast of last week's television premiere of Chris Rock's new comedy.

Other online outlets have made network prime-time shows available before, but "Everybody Hates Chris" marks Google's most high-profile video offering so far.

It comes as Google increasingly ventures beyond its search roots as it battles the likes of Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

The series premiere _ 21 minutes long after removing commercials _ is being offered through Google's servers Monday through Thursday, when the new episode broadcasts on UPN.

To prevent further distribution, the video is available as an on-demand stream rather than a download, which could be stored on a computer and copied.

For UPN, the offering is an opportunity to reach viewers, particularly younger ones, who might have missed the premiere on broadcast TV.

For Google, it is a chance to demonstrate that its Google Video service, still in a "beta" test phase, is more than a collection of home videos, which users are encouraged to upload.

"We're constantly exploring new ideas on how to deliver content to users," said Peter Chane, senior business product manager for Google's video team.

He described the Rock offering as a test of "how many users want to watch the show on the Internet if they didn't watch it on television."

Through Google Video, professionals and amateurs alike may submit video that is indexed and then displayed through a browser-based video player. All the currently available videos are free, but Google hopes to eventually charge for some of material in partnership with the content providers.

Google also has been recording television shows off the air, but largely because of copyright restrictions it is displaying only still images and portions of transcripts from those shows.

In the case of "Everybody Hates Chris," a comedy based on Rock's childhood in Brooklyn with a penny-pinching dad and tough but loving mom, Google had a deal with UPN.


The Associated Press

_________________
Read the F.A.Q. before asking a question!


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ]  Moderators: fhmagic, KJ, Moderators, Support Team

All times are UTC


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
100WebSpace © 2011