Aereo and Cert Petition

[imoldernu]

In some earlier threads, there was discussion of Aereo, an emerging technology that used the cloud to broadcast live Network TV stations to computers using streaming technology.
Since the beginning of the plan, there have been some lower court challenges, which Aereo won, but now the Broadcast community has brought the issue to the Supreme Court... Aereo Has decided to let it go forward for a decision, per this email from the CEO...

Hello,

Today marks a significant step in our fight to modernize television access and protect consumer rights. This afternoon, Aereo filed a brief in response to the broadcasters' petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. We've decided not to oppose this cert petition.

While the law is clear and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and two different federal courts have ruled in favor of Aereo, broadcasters appear determined to keep litigating the same issues against Aereo in every jurisdiction that we enter. We want this resolved on the merits rather than through a wasteful war of attrition.

Consumers have the right to use an antenna to access the over-the-air television. It is a right that should be protected and preserved and in fact, has been protected for generations by Congress. Eliminating a consumer's right to take advantage of innovation with respect to antenna technology would disenfranchise millions of Americans in cities and rural towns across the country.

We are unwavering in our belief that Aereo's technology falls squarely within the law and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers.

As I've said before, an Aereo win is a consumer win. This is an ongoing battle but together we can protect innovation, progress, and consumer choice. Thank you for your continued support and loyalty.
Sincerely,

Chet Kanojia
Founder & CEO

The news article about this is here....
TV Broadcasters Ask Supreme Court to Review Aereo Dispute (Read Petition)

As we've discussed in the past, this is one of the critical issues that stands between the Cable and Satellite TV providers and the savings to be had from the public going to streaming TV.

Certain to be an epic battle...

 

[Chuckanut]

I am all in favor of kicking the the cable companies to the curb. I have never had an account with one and have relied on free, over the air, HI DEF TV, plus Netflix streaming and disks. It's about 1/6 the price of cable. And most cable channels are junk. Why should I pay to watch reality shows about bearded hillbillies and people who like to bid on storage units?

 

[marko]

Making things even more interesting is that Google is-now/will-soon-be offering Aereo via their Chromecast dongle. Chromecast is very cool, cheap ($35) and easy to install/use.

When Aereo connects via Chrome, all bets are off for cable/broadcast TV, IMHO.

 

[Midpack]

As we've discussed in the past, this is one of the critical issues that stands between the Cable and Satellite TV providers and the savings to be had from the public going to streaming TV.

Certain to be an epic battle...

It all sounds good, but clearly if cable/satellite revenue drops drastically or dries up, the funds to continue many OTA and cable networks programming will also. Cable/satellite providers are already raising prices to offset cord cutters, but that's not going to keep them going.

Some consumers will benefit while Aereo is in just a few large metro areas, but we're not going to get the same quality programming at Aereo prices without paying somewhere else in the food chain. If not cable/satellite then internet/streaming providers, advertisers, tech/media content providers and/or others.

Convergence is happening, but I doubt consumers will really save (without reducing content consumption) when all is said and done.

 

[HFWR]

Why should I pay to watch reality shows about bearded hillbillies and people who like to bid on storage units?

Well, you do have to pay, but you don't have to watch...

 

[marko]

It all sounds good, but clearly if cable/satellite revenue drops drastically or dries up, the funds to continue many OTA and cable networks programming will also. We're not going to get the same programming for at Aereo prices, so something has to give no?

Good question, but just as advertising migrated to cable (early on, MTV didn't have commercials but ran place-holder pieces), paid programming might move to Aereo. I see Aereo as a distribution vehicle, same as OTA, cable, dish, etc.

They have to iron out the 'who pays for what' angle but even if not, Aereo could end up in a "pirate" category similar to those who get "free" cable...something the cable cos write off and live with.

TV didn't kill movies, cable didn't kill OTA, dish didn't kill cable...I could be wrong.

 

[Midpack]

Good question, but just as advertising migrated to cable (early on, MTV didn't have commercials but ran place-holder pieces), paid programming might move to Aereo. I see Aereo as a distribution vehicle, same as OTA, cable, dish, etc.

They have to iron out the 'who pays for what' angle but even if not, Aereo could end up in a "pirate" category similar to those who get "free" cable...something the cable cos write off and live with.

TV didn't kill movies, cable didn't kill OTA, dish didn't kill cable...I could be wrong.

I am not questioning convergence, but I am questioning whether consumers will really save money when all is said and done. A small group of early adopters are indeed saving using OTA, streaming and now Aereo - but that won't spread without radical changes in the business model. We'll have much less content, or pay someone else...

I may be wrong but I thought Aereo was mostly just a large centralized OTA antenna farm conceptually.

 

[marko]

I am not questioning convergence, but I am questioning whether consumers will really save money when all is said and done. A small group of early adopters are indeed saving using OTA, streaming and now Aereo - but that won't spread without radical changes in the business model. We'll have much less content, or pay someone else...

I may be wrong but I thought Aereo was mostly just a large centralized OTA antenna farm conceptually.

My premise/comment is based on my understanding that Aereo will simply transmit programming and commercials. What they're doing is picking up the "NBC/CNN" feed which would include commercials.

I think of it as running your cable over to your neighbor so that he can view for free. The programming will be paid for by the commercials, but the distribution is the sticking point. I could be wrong...been wrong once already today.

Now...I remember a very heated argument I had with my boss 30 years ago when I had just made my first phone call through my computer. I maintained that VOIP would put the likes of ATT at risk. His argument was that "somebody has to pay for the infrastructure that ATT laid down" and that ATT wouldn't let other people run their phone calls over their lines.

My view is that the barriers eventually get worked out if there is enough interest, motivation or value in doing so. Even the music industry had to (quite reluctantly) change their business model.