MUMBAI: Leading search engine Google is spreading its wings beyond the web. The California-based company is all set to forge an association with broadcasters to provide a service allowing web users to find content in television programmes. The feature will provide information and videos broadcast on television.

Google video will be placed in the Google Labs section in an index which will operate separately from the home page. Initially Google will provide programme information and visuals from channels like ABC, PBS, Fox News and C-SPAN.

The search engine will display up to five still video images from the indexed television programmes, as well as snippets from the show's narrative. The results will also provide information on the programme schedules. Surfers will be able to access local programming information by keying in the ZIP code.

Google has already revealed its plans to digitally convert and make searchable millions of books from the libraries of leading universities in the US. Reportedly, rival Yahoo also has plans to launch a video search service for television programmes. It had launched Yahoo Video Search, a trial version, in mid-December 2004.