IP Democracy: Will Google Help or Hurt Broadcasters?

Brad Hill at the Unofficial Google Weblog considers the pros and cons for broadcasters in making programs available using Google or online streaming services.

Citing “Google’s headline-inducing acquisition of ‘Everybody Hates Chris,’” Brad says “Google has reportedly signed an agreement with UPN to provide streaming access to already-aired TV shows, and is in discussion with the always forward-thinking BBC.”

Though he sees the potential for “a tug of war,” since “[p]resenting free access to once-broadcast TV show undercuts the rerun and syndication aftermarkets,” Brad also sees signs of emerging models in which well timed and/or limited window online streaming can “help build audience during the season, and also prep the market for DVD compilations.”

Mark Prigg of thisismoney.co.uk suggests a model in which overseas viewers could pay to watch U.S. broadcast programs:

Although programmes will be free to watch at first, it is believed [Google] is developing a pay TV service that could, for example, charge British viewers a premium, to watch episodes that have not yet been broadcast here.

Posted by Mitch Shapiro on September 29, 2005 5:12 PM to IP Democracy