Blogger and former securities analyst Henry Blodget thinks that Google should purchase Spot Runner, as reported in this CNET News story.

Spot Runner lets local businesses buy unsold TV ad spots and customize their own ads using templates. If you squint, that's practically a mirror image of Google's AdSense program, which does virtually the same thing with relevant text ads in Google Search results.

Consequently, Blodget thinks Spot Runner would be a great buy for Google, who could use the technology to dip their toe in television waters.

On a related note, Blodget also said that Viacom and Google/YouTube will settle their $1 billion lawsuit before it goes to trial, with Google having to either make a big upfront payment or set up a revenue sharing agreement with the media conglomerate.

Google will buy TV ad company, Blodget predicts [CNET News]