In a huge blow to the major TV broadcasters, Federal Judge Alison Nathan has ruled that plaintiffs in American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. et al vs. Aereo, Inc. have not demonstrated a likelihood of prevailing in their case.
Aereo streams the local broadcast signals of television stations via the Internet in New York City. Users pay a $12 monthly fee to use the service, which may expand to more states.
FilmOn.com, which also streams television on the Internet, is currently also settling their own dispute with the networks. But in lieu of the new case, FilmOn plans to reinstate it’s live major Network streams in New York, with the same applications of mini antennas that Aereo uses. The networks FilmOn streams include ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS. There are also 160 other HD channels that are largely available worldwide on FilmOn, which David described as dwarfing “Aereo’s pitiful local TV offering.”
David also said that his website is “uniquely positioned in every major US market and will soon begin rolling out similar major Network services nationwide.” But, unlike Diller’s Aereo, FilmOn pays retransmission fees on behalf of its paying subscribers. FilmOn believes it’s best to pay the content producers what’s owed to them.
David added that the ruling “is a significant move in the right direction. Television is meant to be for the consumer and the consumer deserves to have it anywhere and everywhere.”
Written by: Karen Benardello
