Google Expands Its TV Advertising Business

Four years ago, Google got into the TV advertising business when it began selling inventory on cable networks to its stable of advertisers in roughly the same way YouTube sells ads against its video programming online. Now, Google seems to be expanding that program. On the heels of similar partnerships with DirecTV last May and Verizon FiOS in July, Google TV announced a new arrangement with Cox Media, the advertising arm of Cox Communications, the third largest cable operator in the country with 6.2 million subscribers. Google will give its advertising partners—companies like Lenovo, Bloomberg and Coldwell Banker—the opportunity to run television spots on Cox's 75 networks. With the Cox deal and its other similar cable partnerships, Google advertisers will have access to 42 million total households.