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Viacom blocks access to full episodes on Google TV

By Emil Protalinski

On November 22, 2010, 2:39 PM

Viacom has blocked full episodes from streaming on the Google TV platform: network sites like MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, and Comedy Central now just show error messages. As you can see below, the prompt is "Sorry, this content is unavailable for your device," according to GTVHub.

The user agent trick still works, but Viacom's block means the majority of users won't know how to view the content on their new Internet TVs. "We're blocking access to our full episode content from Google TV's Web browser," a Viacom spokesperson said in a statement. "We continue to evaluate Google TV to identify opportunities where it may make sense to optimize our Web content for the platform."

Google is likely working on more content partnership agreements but we doubt the platform is going to improve in time for this holiday season. Google insists it's not trying to replace cable TV. Soon after Google TV launched, however, TV networks ABC, CBS, and NBC denied Google TV access to TV episodes on their own websites. Fox took a little longer to block access but it joined the rest eventually and now it appears that Viacom has jumped on the bandwagon as well. Google is going to have to do a lot more than just claim it's the good guy: TV networks want to see the money.


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7 comments

User Comments: 7

Got something to say? Post a comment
  1. November 22, 2010 4:10 PM
    KG363
    KG363 said:

    What did google expect? This was bound to happen because they clearly are a competitor to cable

    Reply
  2. November 22, 2010 4:56 PM
    pgbsamurai said:

    I love how the first networks to block Google TV are the some ones THAT BROADCAST OVER THE AIR FOR FREE ANYWAY.

    Reply
  3. November 22, 2010 5:16 PM
    Timonius
    Timonius said:

    Viacom has a history of being a bunch of pricks.

    Reply
  4. November 22, 2010 9:17 PM
    MrAnderson said:

    Viacom is sour on Google to begin with so I expected it. Especially after that youtube lawsuit between the two.

    Reply
  5. November 22, 2010 11:38 PM
    negroplasty
    negroplasty said:

    greedy bastards...

    Reply
  6. November 23, 2010 6:26 AM
    edison5do said:

    Back in the days when I use to have a X360, I use to turn off the console upset becuase of this king of message!!

    Reply
  7. November 23, 2010 2:27 PM
    windmill007 said:

    You would think the extended viewship would be enough. I mean as long as the networks ads get shown through google tv I don't see the problem? I mean they show them for free from there websites... Do they not want more viewers.....that's what it seems like to me.

    Reply

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