Content disputes mar Google TV’s launch, keep things even with Apple TV

Just as the first Google TV devices became available last week, Hulu said that it would block access to its site from Google TV-enabled devices. Now, major TV networks ABC, NBC and CBS are saying they will block access, too, at least to most of their content.

Networks don’t see enough of a payoff and don’t feel that Google is guaranteeing enough content protection. Could these blocks actually level the playing field between Google TV and Apple TV, which has been roundly criticized for its lack of content partnerships?

Apple has the most to gain in this scenario because they can at least say that it has content from ABC and Fox. Some observers of the initial Apple TV revamp announcement found the platform to be limited by a lack of content partnerships, but Google may be even more limited—at least in terms of the traditional TV content it can offer—if it doesn’t resolve these disputes.

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Synacor Working with 14 CABLE operators to enable participationin Olympic Online Connect

Synacor’s entitlement platform will enable over 9 million subscribers of select multi-channel video programming distributor’s (MVPD’s) to view a wealth of Internet video content at NBCOlympics.com during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, which commence on February 12 and run through February 28. “Olympics Online Connect” on NBCOlympics.com is one part of a larger Enhanced Olympics Package of programming made available to consumers through NBC Universal and its distribution partners.

Fourteen cable system operators, all of which are participating NBC Olympics affiliates, will use Synacor solutions to provide their customers access to “Olympics Online Connect,” where their video subscribers can watch exclusive Olympic Winter Games coverage on NBCOlympics.com. The Synacor solution will serve as a single integration point between NBC Universal and service providers, providing video subscribers with simplified and secure access to more than 1,000 hours of NBC’s coverage of event competition on NBCOlympics.com, including more than 300 hours of live events and more than 400 hours of on-demand-encore replays.

Operators working with Synacor include Charter, WOW!, Armstrong, Blue Ridge Communications, HickoryTech Corporation, Bend Broadband, Midcontinent Communications, Suddenlink Communications, Atlantic Broadband, Mediacom, GVTC Communications, Knology, Grande Communications and NewWave Communications.

NBC utilizes Facebook for "Community" Premiere

NBC's pilot, Community, a smart comedy series will make its premiere on online with Facebook (not NBC.com and not NBC-owned Hulu). If you want a sneak peek at the new sitcom, you have to become a fan of it on Facebook.

According to NewTeeVee, "this is the first network programming premiere that the social network has hosted. Facebook is already exerting itself as a personal video sharing platform — extending that influence into premium content should have the folks at Hulu HQ concerned. Sure Hulu has Facebook Connect, but that’s still one step removed from putting the show right where people are already interacting and sharing what they like. Additionally, with Facebook, as opposed to other sites, the fan additions, comments and reviews are from real people."

Beginning September 17th, Community is about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College.