Advanced Television

Aereo confirms Utah launch

July 22, 2013

By Colin Mann

Notwithstanding its ongoing court battles with US network broadcasters who claim copyright infringement, Internet TV streaming service Aereo has revealed plans to launch its technology in Utah on August 19.

The move follows its expansion earlier this summer to the Boston and Atlanta metropolitan areas. The company also plans to launch its technology in Chicago on September 13. New York was the service’s first market area and the subject of actions and appeals from the broadcasters.

The US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York mid-July drew to a close the action taken against Aereo, with Fox, one of the parties to the action, suggesting it may pursue the matter in a higher court.

In April, a panel of judges for the 2nd Circuit ruled that Aereo did not violate copyright law. The broadcasters – including Fox, CBS, NBC and ABC – subsequently petitioned to have that decision reviewed by the full court. Their ‘en banc’ request has now been denied.

“We’re excited to be launching our technology in Utah, or what is fast becoming known as the Silicon Slopes,” said Aereo CEO and Founder Chet Kanojia. “Utahns are connected, tech-savvy and interested in innovations that can add value to their lives. When it comes to how you watch television, Aereo’s technology will bring more choice and flexibility to Utahns across the state, whether you live in Salt Lake City, St. George or Ogden. We believe consumers want and deserve a better television experience and our work is focused on delivering the best customer experience with the highest quality technology.”

In Utah, consumers will be able to use Aereo’s antenna/DVR technology to record and watch major networks such as KSTU-HD (FOX), KSL-DT (NBC), KUTV-HD (CBS), KTVX-HD (ABC) and KUED-HD (PBS), as well as other over-the-air special interest and foreign language channels, including BYU-TV, AntennaTV, ION, Qubo, Estrella TV and others. In addition, consumers will also have the ability to add Bloomberg Television.

Aereo’s technology works on ‘smart’ devices from tablets to phones to laptop computers. Aereo is currently supported on iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Chrome, Internet Explorer 9, Firefox, Safari, Opera, AppleTV (via airplay) and Roku devices. Android support is expected later this summer.

Categories: Articles, IPTV, OTT, OTT