Google will start selling video online, offering a way for people to search for and buy TV shows and more through its site.
Google is the latest company to explore the idea of selling video on the Internet, following Apple who led the way with its iTunes online store.
The web giant has been offering video for free over the Internet for about a year. But this is the first time it will enable its users to pay for premium content. "It lets anyone sell video," said Google co-founder Larry Page announcing the Google Video Store. "The content producers can decide what to charge."
Some 3,000 items will be available to rent or download and watch in Google's new desktop video player.
As part of the service, the search giant has done a deal with CBS to offer some of its big blockbuster hits like CSI and Survivor for $1.99 in the US. CBS is also making available its archive of programs, among them Star Trek and I Love Lucy.
Details about the service outside the US are sketchy. Page said he expected different content to be available in different parts of the world, depending on rights issues.
The video will be available to download for Windows or Mac, as well as for the Sony PlayStation Portable and Apple iPod.
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