Is Google set to be a major global TV Network that can serve up major sporting events, movies and TV drama along with documentaries via a single global TV station network?
Some say yes, following the acquisition overnight by Google of the video compression Company On2 Technologies for $106.5 million in stock.
The On2 compression technology allows for the quick transfer of large video files including high definition data over the Internet. It also allows files to be pushed to mobile devices.
Earlier this year, SmartHouse was told that Google – using their YouTube brand, is seriously considering the setting up of a global TV service that could one day bid for an Olympics or World Cup, with the event transmitted over an IP network to viewers who be able to watch live content on an IP enabled TV, PC or mobile device.
The network would also allow them to syndicate popular TV shows like CSI or Desperate Housewives to a global audience of viewers.
In the future, Google could well facilitate the transmission of a global sporting event to most countries in the world as well as provide extensive web site information as well active information on participants that could be bought up during a transmission over an IP network at the click of a button.
Google would sell advertising in the both the live transmission and onto web sites built for each country participating in the sporting event, say insiders.
“We are committed to innovation in video quality on the web, and we believe that On2’s team and technology will help us further that goal,” Sundar Pichai, Google vice president for product management, said in a prepared statement.
The Wall Street Journal said “Google will likely be able to use On2’s software to improve the YouTube user experience” said Andrew Frank, an analyst with research firm Gartner. The technology could also make its way into Google’s Android mobile operating system and its Chrome operating system for personal computers.
“By owning the infrastructure, Google kind of keeps the road open to a day when Internet distribution of video is ubiquitous across all platforms,” said Mr. Frank. “Google has a long-term interest in making sure that the future of video distribution across any platform is open.”
Google announced its departure from the radio business in February as it took steps to cut costs and jettison underperforming operations. The company discontinued a similar ad-sales business for newspapers.
