Orb brings Internet to TV, says networks can't block

A Q&A with Orb chief executive Joe Costello.

Orb is yet another company is offering a way to bring the Internet to your TV. Orb Networks launched its OrbTV Nov 18, promising to bring Hulu, Netflix and anything you watch on your desktop to the living room. But wait, how will Orb keep the television networks from blocking shows in the same way they did to Google TV? Orb hasn't brokered deals in the way that Roku has with Hulu and other distributors like Netflix have with Hollywood studios. Costello said that the networks couldn't do that because all his company's $100 box does is wirelessly connect your PC to the television set. Industry analysts say they think the networks are going straight to the browser - Chrome - on Google TV, recognizing certain properties on the browser for those users and blocking their Web shows that way.