IN BRIEF

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/15/2010 8:15:00 AM

Dish Dabbles With Google-Fueled Set-Tops

ENGLEWOOD, COLO. — Dish Network has launched a limited trial of Internet-connected settops that run Google search and ad-targeting software, according to a published report.

The satellite operator’s Google-based set-tops provide an integrated search function that lets viewers find TV programs as well as online video from sites including Google’s YouTube, as well as a way to create a personalized lineup of shows, The Wall Street Journal reported March 8.

Dish and Google have been working together for three years on the Google TV Ads service, for which the Internet search giant sells local ad space on behalf of Dish across 100 national networks. With the set-top test, the companies are looking at delivering targeted ads to individual households based on search and viewing data, according to the Journal.

The experiment represents the latest in a long line of attempts to merge Internet content with traditional TV. Cablevision Systems, for one, plans to kick off a test this summer of a service that would broadcast PC audio and video to a subscriber’s set-top box.

In another example of TVWeb integration, TiVo has debuted the Premiere set-top platform, code-named “Neutron,” which provides unified search across broadband content sources, TV listings, DVR recordings and other content.

Senate OKs STELA License

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on March 10 passed STELA, the five-year re-authorization of the satellite blanket distant signal license. It still faces House approval .

The license allows satellite operators to import distant affiliated network TV-station signals to viewers who can’t receive a comparable local signal.

The Dec. 31 expiration had to be extended twice after it failed to pass .