CBS stocks Google Video Store

CES UPDATE: New downloads service to launch with mostly TV content

By Paul Sweeting and Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 1/6/2006

JAN. 6 | LAS VEGAS—Internet search giant Google on Friday unveiled a new service to allow content owners to sell and rent video over the Internet.

Called Google Video Store, the service will make thousands of videos available for download on whatever terms the rights owner wants to set. Among the initial batch of program suppliers to take advantage of the service is CBS, which will make several of its prime time series as well as its vast catalog available.

Among the current CBS series are CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Survivor and Amazing Race. Episodes will be available for $1.99 each one day after their initial airing.

“Google Video will let you watch lots of high quality video on the Web for the first time,” Google co-founder Larry Page said in his keynote presentation here during the Consumer Electronics Show. “For video producers and anyone with a video camera, Google Video will give you a platform to publish to the entire Google audience in a fast, free and seamless way.”

Users first must download a Google Video player to their computers. Content will be protected against piracy by Google’s own digital rights management software.

Among the other initial program suppliers participating in Google Video Store are Classic Media, Sony BMG Music, PBS newsman Charlie Rose along with public TV broadcaster WGBH and the National Basketball Assn.

“This is another exciting platform in which CBS can leverage its market-leading content to a whole new audience,” CBS CEO Les Moonves said, joining Page on stage.

Page said some programming on the service would be limited to certain geographic territories due to rights issues.

Independent filmmakers also will be able to deliver their content through the service.

Waterborne, a thriller set for DVD release by MTI on Feb. 21, is among independent films to be offered for download via the new Google service.

Filmmaker Ben Rekhi retained digital rights to the film and agreed to make it available for $4.99 per download. Under terms of working with the Google service, filmmakers are able to set download prices and terms, such as whether downloads can be burned to DVD, Rekhi said.

Such Google downloads should help promote awareness of Waterborne before its DVD release, he added.

“The great thing about Google is their brand name,” Rekhi said. “For a film of our size, the exposure is tremendous and unbeatable.”

Filmmakers participating in the Google service also can sell downloads of their films to other sites, noted Rekhi, who nevertheless plans to put Waterborne solely on Google.

E-mail Paul Sweeting and Jennifer Netherby

« Back | Print