Google's Video Store, announced by company co-founder Larry Page (pictured)) at his keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, "is the first open video marketplace enabling consumers to buy and rent a wide range of video content from a major television network, a professional sports league, cable programmers, independent producers and film makers," Page said. "This fast growing collection of videos will include prime-time and classic hits from CBS, a full slate of NBA games from this season and outstanding performances from the past, music videos from SONY BMG, Charlie Rose interviews as well as news and historical content from ITN and new titles being added everyday."

"For video producers and anyone with a video camera, Google Video will give you a platform to publish to the entire Google audience in a fast, free and seamless way," he said. The new service is expected to be available "soon," according to the company.

Google's announcement was also touted by CBS CEO and President Leslie Moonves (pictured). "This is yet another exciting platform in which CBS can leverage its market-leading content to a whole new audience," Moonves said, "making our programming accessible to the Google Video Store guarantees our shows significant new exposure to millions of users who are likely to access this Web service and who may not be traditional TV viewers. As the industry's most prolific generator of popular TV content, it's only natural that CBS would partner with Google on this service, which is destined to become one of the web's most popular destinations."

Google Video will also feature NBA games from this season and some of the greatest individual performances in NBA history, Page said, "marking the first time NBA fans can purchase full NBA contests on the Web, each NBA game for the rest of this season, including the NBA Playoffs and The Finals, will be available to fans in its entirety 24 hours after the contest's conclusion," according to a company statement.

Additional highlights of Google's video collection will include:

* Music videos from SONY BMG. The line-up of launch videos includes offerings from some of SONY BMG's global superstar artists, including Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Kenny Chesney, Destiny's Child, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Lil' Flip, Jessica Simpson, Shakira, System of a Down, Switchfoot, Usher, and more.