Google To Make Star Trek Available On the Web

Google Inc. has announced plans to open an enhanced online video marketplace including content from CBS, which will include Paramount Television shows Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

"Google Video will let you watch lots of high quality video on the web for the first time," explained company co-founder Larry Page at Google. In addition, Google will allow amateur and professional filmmakers to broadcast over the web: "For video producers and anyone with a video camera, Google Video will give you a platform to publish to the entire Google audience in a fast, free and seamless way."

In addition to the two Star Trek series, shows from CBS's current lineup including CSI, NCIS and Survivor, plus Sony music videos, classic cartoons and NBA games, will be available commercial-free. "This is yet another exciting platform in which CBS can leverage its market-leading content to a whole new audience," said CBS president Leslie Moonves.

"With the recent corporate split between Viacom and CBS, the latter company has taken control of all of Paramount's television properties, including the Star Trek franchise," explained StarTrek.com. Other historical Paramount series like I Love Lucy will be available for purchase at Google as well.

Since Viacom and CBS split, it had been unclear which division would ultimately control the Star Trek franchise. Paramount Pictures is now a part of Viacom, but Paramount Television and the series it produced for UPN are now a part of CBS.

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