The three major US networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, are blocking their programmes from access by Google TV, writes The Wall Street Journal. 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 the connected TV service.
However, the networks do make short promotional clips from selected programming available to Google TV users.
Last month, Google TV announced its first official content partners. Broadcasters such as Time Warner’s HBO and Turner Broadcasting and even CNBC, part of NBC-Universal, were named as parties who made their programming available to the service.
Content from the Hulu video portal joint venture between News Corp., NBCU and Disney is also being blocked from Google TV. But spokespersons from both Hulu and Google TV confirmed that talks are going on the make material from Hulu Plus available on Google TV on a transactional basis.