Google TV Blocked on DishOnline Too?

If you’re not familiar with Google TV, it’s a software platform that uses the Android operating system for viewing of web video, DVR integration from cable and satellite providers, plus web browsing, and DLNA streaming for viewing of media stored via your PC on the best screen in your house. Your TV.  What’s more, the Google TV software is available for many different devices, such as the Logitech Revue, the Sony Blu-Ray with Google TV, and a hand full of HDTV sets thus far.Google TV also makes it possible for app developers to create apps made for TV much the same way they do on the mobile platform for the Android market.

One of the hurdles Google TV is facing right now is one of it’s key features of being able to search web video, live TV listings, and DVR recordings simultaneously is it’s run into a roadblock with large TV networks like Fox, CBS, NBC, and Internet TV services like Hulu, and now, surprisingly DishOnline Beta. It’s not so surprising the larger networks want a little kick back, and aren’t about to give up their content for free. Anyone could have guessed they would at some point block viewing of their content via your TV screen over the Internet much the same way Hulu has been blocking mobile devices for the better part of 2010. Hulu’s excuse is they don’t have the rights to mobile content, while the big fear from the networks are from the cable cutters, or those who might not subscribe to pay TV with free web video.

What is surprising, at least to a point is Google TV being blocked by DishOnline. Dish Network has be offering the Logitech Revue, a set top box created for Google TV, for about $120 less than what you might get at a retail store. What’s more, Google TV on Logitech Revue has deep DVR Integration with Dish Network. It allows Dish Network customers to have more DVR functionality such as setting DVR timers directly from a search result, or  viewing, and playing DVR results in Google Que. DishOnline can be thought of as something of a Hulu for Dish Network customers, so you would think anyone with a subscription to Dish Network would be able to view the video as long as the tech requirements are met. If you were to visit DishOnline with Google TV, you can play the video, and hear the sound, but there is a large notice in the center of the video that states Google TV is not supported.

Have the networks gone too far by blocking paying subscribers? Sound off below.