CES 2006: Google announces video download store

7 January 2006 2:07 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Google has announced that it will go up against Apple in the video download market.

Google's founder Larry Page made the announcement at his keynote speech at CES in Las Vegas.

The Google Video Store is the first open video marketplace enabling consumers to buy and rent a wide range of video content from the CBS television network, a professional sports league, cable programmers, independent producers and film makers.

This fast growing collection of videos will include prime-time and classic hits from CBS, a full slate of NBA games from this season and outstanding performances from the past, music videos from SONY BMG, Charlie Rose interviews as well as news and historical content from ITN and new titles being added everyday.

However, Details about the service outside the US are sketchy and it is expected that different content will be available in different parts of the world, depending on rights issues.

"Google video will let you watch lots of high quality video on the web for the first time. You can search and browse, and we make it fast and easy for you to watch", said Larry Page, Google's co-founder and President, Products. "For video producers and anyone with a video camera, Google Video will give you a platform to publish to the entire Google audience in a fast, free and seamless way".

Available soon, customers will be able to browse video.google.com to get listings of video by category from the store or search Google's entire collection of videos by simply entering keywords into the search box.

The company has signed up with a number of partners, however the most notable is CBS's current primetime hits that will include CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Survivor and The Amazing Race. The shows will cost $1.99 each. Library classics will include I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Twilight Zone, MacGyver, Have Gun Will Travel, Mannix, My Three Sons, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. All CBS programs will be presented commercial free.

The company also announced that it will be offering its software applications via a single download application for PC users called Google Pack. More information can be found at pack.google.com/

Full tags

Software, Online, Video downloads, Google, CES2006, Firefox