Google testing TV ads in California

Cory Bergman March 12th, 2007

Here we go. The WSJ reports that Google is working with cable provider Astound Broadband to test delivering TV ads to cable subscribers in Concord, CA. Similar to Google Adwords, the advertisers involved in the test are buying the ads through an auction system. The ads aren’t targeted — yet — as Google still has federal privacy hurdles to overcome. One theory is that Google may be able to convince households to disclose information about themselves in return for seeing more relevant ads. The test is still very early phase, yet Google has also had some discussions with cable heavyweight Comcast. “We all believe as advertising moves from one-way to two-way, the winners are the Googles of the world and others that can provide truly two-way addressable advertising,” said Steve Burke, Comcast’s chief operating officer. Keep an eye on this one. (WSJ sub. req.)