Users as Toast: The Blocking of Google TV
Lauren Weinstein
October 22, 2010
Greetings. The day started badly. All he wanted was a piece of
toast. Yet instead of creating a crispy slice of goodness, his
General Electric toaster ejected the still soft slice, and flashed a
bizarre admonition on its display (odd, he didn't even remember it
having a display) -- informing him that due to an ongoing dispute with
Van de Kamp's bakeries, he was blocked from toasting that particular
brand of bread until further notice. How droll.
At least he could head out and pick up something to eat elsewhere.
But he was low on gas -- better buy some first.
More trouble. The pump refused to operate. What's this flashing on
its screen? A list of acceptable car brands that have made deals with
ARCO. His old car wasn't on the OK list. So -- no gas. Amazing.
What's the world coming to?
Back home, at least he can watch some TV. Now what? Instead of
shows, messages are popping up hot and heavy. CBS says they will only
allow viewers using SONY televisions to tune in. FOX demands Toshiba
or Samsung. The DuMont network insists that you use a Farnsworth set.
DuMont? Farnsworth? What the blazes is happening today? Somebody
help! HELP!
And he awoke in a cold sweat from the nightmare.
Phew. Just a bad dream. Better calm down and watch the new Google
TV -- go relax with some Web shows on the big screen. He settled down in
his easy chair to wind down -- and his face twisted into a maniacal
grin as he discovered that Hulu and the major broadcast networks have
blocked much Web viewing by Google TV users ( http://bit.ly/ddgNCY
[PC World] ).
Reaching for the heavy hammer on the table to his side, he slowly
approached the array of electronic devices stacked before him ...
There has been much speculation about motivations for the blocking of
most full episode Web programming from Google TV users -- first by
Hulu, then by the conventional broadcast networks.
Some observers suspect that disparities in ad rates between broadcast
and Web versions of programs are the primary cause. Others have
suggested that it's payback to Google for refusing to censor search
results to try "hide" sites that offer pirated programming.
Google itself has offered a diplomatically worded statement noting
that it's up to program suppliers to decide which users they're
willing to service. Understandably, Google doesn't want to burn any
bridges, especially before they've been fully built.
But in my view, the purposely blocking of particular viewing platforms
for other than legitimate technical reasons (e.g. genuine, serious
display incompatibilities) is unacceptable -- and should be illegal.
...
http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000774.html
