Net Users Ready for Search Engine Video Services

As popular Internet search giants Google and Yahoo! expand into the television content arena, they’ll find welcome fans among America’s consumers.

According to new research from Points North Group and Horowitz Associates, Inc., one-third of Internet users are interested in Google Video and 41% are interested in Yahoo! Go, both of which are new video-oriented services. The online survey probed interest levels by having respondents read a description of each service.

“The early level of consumer interest shows solid potential for the Google and Yahoo! video services,” said Craig Leddy, senior analyst for Points North Group.

Interest in the two services is significantly higher among Internet users aged 18-34: with 54% interested in Yahoo! Go and 46% interested in Google Video.

When asked about what type of devices they would like to use with Google Video, 22% said their computer or laptop, 20% said the TV, 4% selected an iPod or related entertainment device, and 3% said a cell phone or PDA. For Yahoo! Go, the responses were 31% for computer/laptop, 14% TV, 10% cell phone or PDA, and 5% iPod or similar device. Respondents could select more than one device.

Google Video allows Internet users to download replays of TV shows, including prime-time hits like CBS’s “CSI” and classics such as “The Brady Bunch,” for $1.99 per episode. Yahoo! Go enables users to access information and entertainment stored on Yahoo! from any device that can connect to the Internet.

The findings are based upon an independent online survey of 500 consumers.