Using the Xbox and PlayStation to get Internet programs on your TV

GridNetworks today unveiled a new service called GridCast TV that allows producers and distributors of online video content to stream programs directly to viewer's television screens over the Internet.

The Seattle online video distribution startup utilizes the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Internet-enabled TVs to stream the programs.

“With GridCast TV, our viewers get to watch indie films on their TVs, and we don't have to deal with multiple vendors or distribution deals to get access to those TVs,” Indie Flix CEO Scilla Andreen said in a press release today announcing the service. “We also don’t have to give our content to a third party, or negotiate with cable or satellite providers.”

One might wonder how cable TV operators such as Comcast would react to statements like those. But what makes those remarks even more interesting is that Comcast is an investor in GridNetworks. (And now that Comcast plans to offer Internet speeds at as much as 50 Mbps in the state, the promise of streamed Internet TV becomes more real.)

Interestingly, this is the second startup in the past week with ties to Seattle that is trying to help people watch Internet programs on their TVs. Last week, I heard from Tracy Lawrence Burman -- the former Jobster president-- who is now involved with MediaMall's new TV service PlayOn. Like GridCast TV, PlayOn utilizes gaming consoles so that people can watch Hulu, YouTube, ESPN.com and other online programs on their TVs.

I asked Lawrence Burman what the cable companies think about PlayOn, since it would appear that PlayOn could essentially cut out the middleman role of the cable operator. But she said PlayOn complements a cable subscription, providing additional content.

"Most users are just so excited to open up their TVs to the world of online content in an easy and inexpensive way – and without putting another box in their living room," she said via email. "Folks are tired of being forced to watch all this great online content (Hulu, Netflix Watch Not, CBS.com, YouTube, etc.) on their PC screens – but don’t want to add significant cost/hassle to get it to the living room TV... I've never been a fan of hunching over a PC to try and watch a TV show, especially when I've got the nice big TV in the living room."

PlayOn is in public beta with a formal release slated for early next month. It boasts 30,000 beta testers.

Meanwhile, GridNetworks is led by Tony Naughtin, who many remember from his days leading Seattle-based Internap.