The net search giant Google has launched a search service that lets people look for TV programmes. The service, Google Video beta, searches closed caption information that comes with programmes. It only searches US channel content currently.

Results list programmes with still images and text from the point where the search phrase was spoken.

It should expand over time to include content from more channels, said a Google spokesperson.

The first version of the service is part of Google's expanding efforts to be a ubiquitous search engine for people to find what they want on the web and beyond.

"We think TV is a big part of people's lives," said Jonathan Rosenberg, Google's vice president of product management.

"Ultimately, we would like to have all TV programming indexed."

Google Video has been indexing US-based programmes from PBS, the NBA, Fox News, and C-SPAN since December.

But there were few clues from Google about when more global broadcasters would be included.

"Over time, we plan to increase the number of television channels and video content available via Google Video but don't have more product details to share with you today," a Google spokesperson told the BBC News website.

For additional information visit http://news.bbc.co.uk.