Google trials TV search service

Google is trialling a new television search service, letting users find TV shows and online videos, and personalise a lineup of their favourites.

It is testing the system with US satellite TV provider Dish Network through set-top boxes running Google software, reports the Wall Street Journal.

It said the test, which began last year, is limited to a very small number of Google employees and their families.

Viewers can use a keyboard to type queries, the report added, with Google hoping to partner the service with its new TV advertising brokering business, which will allow it to target ads to households based on their search and viewing habits.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said in January that the online giant’s mobile phone operating system, Android, could be perfect for use with set-top boxes enabled for TV search.

“It makes sense that people would use Android as an operating system for set-top boxes, buddy boxes and TVs,” he said. “All of those ideas have been proposed by our partners.”