Public Knowledge: Broadcasters should not block shows on Google TV

“It is truly disappointing that broadcasters would leverage their programming to deny access to viewers who watch the shows over another medium — on cable or online,” said Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge.

She equated the networks’ decision to block their content on Google TV with a decision by another broadcaster, Fox, to block its online programming to Cablevision Internet subscribers. Fox Broadcasting blocked Cablevision subscribers from accessing its websites and Hulu.com, which it partially owns, as part of a stand-off with the cable company about how much it should be compensated for its programming. Fox quickly restored access to its sites after it saw that the action affected non-Cablevision subscribers as well.

“When a broadcaster exercises its market power in pursuit of maintaining a business model while stifling competition by blocking Hulu, Fox.com [or Google TV], the broadcaster violates that public trust and harms consumers,” Sohn said.

Fox Broadcasting and MTV have not blocked free online episodes to Google TV users, according to the WSJ.

Google has said the broadcasters’ choice to block their content is within bounds.

“Google TV enables access to all the Web content you already get today on your phone and PC, but it is ultimately the content owners’ choice to restrict their fans from accessing their content on the platform,” a Google spokeswoman reportedly said.

Hulu.com shows are also unavailable on Google TV, but the two companies are in talks to bring the subscription form of Hulu services to Google TV users.