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YouTube Promotes Google TV, Nets Block Shows Online

Hollywood may not be a fan of Google TV, but YouTube loves the idea of the Internet-tube so much that it's giving away 100 of them. YouTube has a call out to viewers to submit videos on why they're "pumped up" about Google TV, the service from Google Inc. that allows viewers to search for television programs online and then watch them on their television sets. Broadcast networks have been wary -- even downright hostile -- toward the service.

Winners of the YouTube contest with the most original, entertaining and technically adept videos will be in the running for a prize pool of a hundred 46-inch Sony Internet televisions powered by Google TV. Videos must be tagged with "YTGTV" and uploaded by Dec. 22. Winners will be announced Jan. 20.

In late October, the  three major broadcast networks, uneasy about viewers bypassing cable and satellite providers -- and the networks' own Web sites -- to watch their TV shows, have begun blocking a new service from Google Inc. that is designed to make it easy for people to watch programming online.

ABC, CBS and NBC confirmed they began blocking Google TV from accessing full-length episodes of prime-time shows such as "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Dancing With the Stars" and "Parks & Recreation," a move aimed at forestalling the technology giant's entry into the living room.

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