Today, at CES, Google have announced Google Video Marketplace. The service is described by the company as being the "
first open video marketplace enabling consumers to buy and rent a wide range of video content from a major television network, a professional sports league, cable programmers, independent producers and film makers."
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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. "
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." A monetarised version of Google Video had long been hinted at, and also brings to "fruition" rumours of a Google payment service.
Google has teamed up with CBS, offering (commercial free) popular shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Survivor and The Amazing Race. Google will also be offering all NBA games online, 24Hrs after happening. For a complete list of content, click "read more" below. Google claims that non-copyrighted videos will be available to iPod and PSP users, in an optimized format. Whilst there is no clear statement on the DRM involved, it would appear that the "premium content" will be restricted; whilst the Google Video Marketplace will be available worldwide, the company will only be selling said content to US users. Google said the service would be available to users in the coming hours.
We"ll update this post if any more information emerges from the Keynote or the service goes live in the immediate future; if you haven"t already checked out the recently announced Google Pack have a look here.
Minor update Google Pack users can download the Google Video Player here, used to play downloaded content. It looks like a (rather poor) mash up between the flash player online and a copy of VLC; interestingly, it doesn"t appear to play content other than that downloaded from Google.
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Music videos from SONY BMG. The
line-up of launch videos includes offerings from some of SONY BMG"s
global superstar artists, including Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Kenny
Chesney, Destiny"s Child, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Lil" Flip,
Jessica Simpson, Shakira, System of a Down, Switchfoot, Usher, and many
more.
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Feature Length Independent Films from Greencine.com. Including works by legendary Polish director Andrzej Wajda (
Zemsta), documentary filmmaker Ted Bonnitt (
Mau Mau Sex Sex) and independent actor/director Caveh Zahedi (
In the Bathtub of the World).
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Historic, news and educational footage from ITN.
This material ranges from coverage of key events in 2005 such as the
Pope John Paul II"s death, back to a recording of the 1896 coronation
of Tsar Nicholas II – one of the earliest known pieces of moving
imagery.
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Charlie Rose interviews.
Including interviews with Henry Kissinger, Oliver Stone, Quentin
Tarantino, Martha Stewart, Martin Scorsese, Harrison Ford, Dan Rather,
Charles M. Schulz, Steve Jobs, Jay Leno, Tom Brokaw, and others.
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Cartoon classics from Classic Media.
Featuring many of the world"s most famous animated series such as
"Felix the Cat," "Casper The Friendly Ghost," and "Rocky and
Bullwinkle."
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Children"s educational programming from Clearvue. Educational video topics vary from teen education on tattoos to explanations about the workings of the human brain.
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Cartoon classics from Classic Media and children"s educational programming from Clearvue.
Google Video also offers many of the world"s most famous animated
series such as "Felix the Cat," "Casper The Friendly Ghost," and "Rocky
and Bullwinkle." Educational video topics from Clearvue vary from teen
education on tattoos to explanations about the workings of the human
brain.
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Clips from Getty Images" Archive Films Collection.
A diverse collection of short clips that capture personalities, moments
and eras throughout history - selected from vintage newsreels and
educational film, as well as contemporary news and events from around
the world.