Google to host e-mail, build portal for BSkyB
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(InfoWorld) - Broadcaster and Internet service provider British Sky Broadcasting GroupÂ (BSkyB) has asked GoogleÂ to host e-mail and other services for its broadband customers in the U.K. Their collaboration could also lead to the creation of targeted TV ads. Google will run mail services for users with addresses @sky.com, host a portal for user-generated video content, and deliver targeted search advertising on BSkyB's Web sites, the companies said Wednesday. In time, that targeted advertising could appear on TV, in the same way that Google is developing advertising sales platforms for broadcast radio and even print media. The digital video recorders that BSkyB offers subscribers to its Sky satellite TV channels are already able to deliver targeted advertising, although the company does not yet use that capability, according to BSkyB spokesman Robert Fraser. "Sky is already very tuned-in to the potential of delivering more-targeted ads to TV users," he said. "We will work together with Google to deliver targeted ads." The companies have set no timetable to introduce such a service, though: "It's an area for future development," he said. While BSkyB's business revolves mainly around broadcasting professionally produced content, the deal with Google will take it into new territory: The companies also plan to build a video portal featuring content generated by Sky subscribers. It will run on systems developed by Google for its Google Video portal, but will be branded as a Sky service, the companies said. The video portal will allow Sky customers to see only content posted by other Sky customers, said Google spokesman DJ Collins. However, content posted by Sky users will also be visible to other users of theÂ YouTube service that Google acquiredÂ in November, he said. Analysts at OvumÂ said that user-generated content is an essential element of any portal. But they wondered why BSkyB isn't making use of MySpace.com, which also belongs to News Corp., the parent company of BSkyB. BSkyB began life as a satellite TV broadcaster. Following itsÂ acquisition of U.K. ISP Easynet GroupÂ in October 2005, BSkyB launched its own broadband Internet access service in July. That service is available only to subscribers to the Sky satellite TV services. The company has 8.3 million subscribers, and aims to have 10 million by the end of the decade, with 3 million of them subscribing to the broadband service, Fraser said.ADVERTISEMENTNEW IT SERVICES FROM IBM: EASIER TO BUY AND IMPLEMENTDiscover a simpler, more cost-effective way to get the solutions your company needs to grow more flexible and efficient.
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