Google lines up Internet TV programming partners

SAN FRANCISCO -- Google Inc.'s effort to wed Web surfing with television viewing is gathering more support from major media outlets that distribute some of the content that will help sell the concept.

The list of participating television programmers announced Monday by Google includes household staples such as TBS, TNT, CNN and HBO, which are all owned by Time Warner Inc.

The technology, known as Google TV, also will offer features from the NBA, the financial news channel CNBC and popular Internet video services operated by Amazon.com Inc. and Netflix Inc.

The Google TV options from Amazon's digital video store and Netflix's movie subscription service mirror features already available on an array of other devices that connect to televisions.

The short-message service Twitter and several music sites, including Vevo, Pandora and Napster, have also designed features especially for Google TV.

But the four major broadcast networks - CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox - still haven't embraced Google TV, with the technology scheduled to debut in Best Buy's US stores later this month. Documents posted on the Internet indicate that flat-panel sets and other devices equipped with Google TV will go on sale October 17, but the company hasn't confirmed that date.

In a blog post, Google said it is still in talks with a variety of unnamed parties and predicted more content partnerships will be cemented in the coming weeks.

"We're really excited about the enthusiasm surrounding the platform and can't wait for it to reach your living room," wrote Ambarish Kenghe, a Google TV product manager. (AP)