The announcement everyone has been waiting
for arrived at CES this evening when Larry Page (with a little help from Robin Williams) broke the news about Google's Video Store. So far, we know this: the video store itself will be launched soon (no date yet, unfortunately), although you can get Google Pack now (a package of their apps like GTalk, Google Earth, Desktop -- and will also include RealPlayer and Adobe Acrobat) .
Users will be able to find ad-free video content from CBS for $1.99, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Survivor and The Amazing Race, plus classic episodes of Star Trek, along with some NBA matches 24 hours after they've aired.
Also included in the offering will be music videos from Sony BMG, news, and cartoon classics like Rocky and Bullwinkle. The biggest resolution on offer will be 640 x 320, but not in H264.
With Google Video Store, content suppliers will name their own price (zero, if they want), but content owners who charge for video downloads must share 30 percent of the revenue with Google. Video content will be available to users in one of two options: download-to-own or download-to-rent.
DivX is rumored to be the video format of choice, although it's been suggested the content may be heavily restricted with Google's own DRM format -- although some DRM-free material will be available for the iPod and PSP.
The store itself will be available throughout the world, however purchasing premium content in the Google Video Store will only be available in the U.S.
Google shares rose to a record $465.66 in regular Friday trading.
More at Engadget's live coverage of the Larry Page keynote speech (featuring Q&A with Larry) or check out the Google press release.
