Google TV Coming to Europe in 2012
Google TV’s failure to take off in the States evidently hasn’t dissuaded the company from pushing it into new markets — or attempting to, anyway.
The search behemoth’s struggling Internet television service is headed for Europe.
In a keynote speech at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Europe’s leading broadcasting industry conference, Google chairman Eric Schmidt said Google TV will launch in Europe early in 2012.
“Just as smartphones sparked a whole new era of innovation for the Internet, we hope Google TV can help do the same for television, creating more value for all,” Schmidt said. “We expect Google TV to launch in Europe early next year, and of course the U.K. will be among the top priorities.”
And it will likely be slow going when it does launch, if the service’s ramp-up in the U.S. is anything to go by. Disappointing sales and lackluster reviews have hamstrung Google TV’s adoption in the States. Still, the company is committed to changing that, with a new version of the service and additional hardware partners. Said Schmidt, “We’re absolutely committed to staying, to improving Google TV.”