Google Seeks Approval for Kansas City Video Service

Google filed an application last week to provide video service to residents of Kansas City (MO), according to state records, setting the stage for the Web giant to offer a cable-TV-like package in addition to the high-speed Internet service it plans to market there later this year.

The video service, if approved, would thrust Google into closer competition with satellite and cable companies that already sell pay-TV service in Kansas City. Google's video application is being reviewed by the Missouri Public Service Commission. Google could launch its TV service as soon as a month or two from now, according to a media executive currently involved in negotiations to license channels to the service. The service would offer subscribers live TV, as well as on-demand and online access to TV channels, similar to services from major cable operators, this person said. While the plan for now is restricted to Kansas City, this person said Google had discussed expanding it to other markets that Verizon Communications Inc. hasn't entered with its fiber-optic TV service, dubbed FiOS. It remains unclear whether Google intends to do so, but it would have that right under at least some of the deals it is currently negotiating with TV channels, this person said.