Google plans to start its online television service in Europe early next year as the world’s largest Internet-search company seeks to expand its TV customer base, Chairman Eric Schmidt said.
The company, based in Mountain View, Calif., also will continue to help fund broadcasting content, though it will stop short at producing any itself, Schmidt told television executives in Edinburgh.
Google TV started in the US last year with partners Sony Corp. and Logitech International.
“Just as smartphones sparked a whole new era of innovation for the Internet, we hope Google TV can help do the same for television, creating more value for all,” Schmidt, 56, said, according to a transcript of his lecture to the annual Edinburgh International Television Festival in the Scottish capital.
Google TV works with an Internet television or a set-top box, according to the company’s Web site. Logitech said in April it would cut the price of its Revue device by 17 percent to attract buyers after a “slow start.”
Schmidt told the audience he wanted the UK television industry to work with Google on developing content for broadcast. He rejected what he called an “accusation” that Google aimed to make all content free for users.
“We’re agnostic when it comes to whether free or paid content models are best,” Schmidt said. “It’s up to content owners to decide if they want to charge, and it’s up to users to decide if they want to pay.”
international television festival, uk television industry, internet search company, logitech international, edinburgh international, content models, sony corp, google, scottish capital, television executives, internet television, eric schmidt, television service, paid content, tv works, accusation, customer base, mountain view, new era, broadcast
No comments:
Post a Comment