Aereo is a streaming service, that captures broadcast signals on miniature antenna’s and delivering these channels to customers, some who pay a subscription.

But today (Wednesday 25th June) the US Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 vote that Aereo is violating the broadcasters’ copyrights by taking the signals without paying them.

The ruling is a victory for the major television networks, which had argued that Aereo’s business model amounted to a theft of their programming.

The ruling states, “given Aereo’s overwhelming likeness to the cable companies targeted by the 1976 amendments, this sole technological difference between Aereo and traditional cable companies does not make a critical difference here.”

One US Broadcaster said “We are pleased with today’s decision which is great news for content creators and their audiences,”.

Aereo started operations about two years ago and broadcasters, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, were quick to go to court trying tio stop Aereo claiming that the technology violated copyrights.

Another service similar to Aereo, FilmOn, is also popular, allowing UK expats access to UK TV abroad.

About Aereo

Aereo was a controversial online television streaming service launched in 2012, allowing users to watch live broadcast TV and record programs via a cloud-based DVR. It operated by capturing over-the-air TV signals using tiny antenna arrays, streaming content to subscribers over the internet. Aereo’s service provided access to major networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS without traditional cable or satellite subscriptions. However, it faced significant legal challenges from broadcasters, who argued it violated copyright laws. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Aereo, forcing the company to shut down its operations later that year.

About FilmOn

FilmOn is an internet-based television service that offers live streaming of TV channels from around the world. Launched in 2006, it provides access to a wide variety of content, including news, sports, movies, and entertainment channels, both free and premium. Users can stream channels in real-time or access on-demand content through its platform, which is available on multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. FilmOn also offers features like cloud-based DVR storage, allowing users to record and save shows for later viewing. The service is popular for its wide range of international programming and easy accessibility.