Aereo is still in the fight

by
in legal on (#3QX)
story imageSince the Aereo decision caused Aereo to shutter its service, we haven't heard much. It appears now that things are still happening with the company.

Apparently Aereo is asking that, since the Supreme Court declared it a "cable company", it should immediately receive cable company status, which the FCC has been previously reluctant to grant to internet-only companies. Deadline Hollywood has a fairly informative writeup. This would allow it to enter into negotiations for content with broadcasters, who, at least according to the law, would be required to "negotiate in good faith". Considering that many of them are not Aereo fans and some major content providers have threatened to pull their content if Aereo wins, Aereo might have an uphill battle despite that "good faith negotiation" requirement - if the FCC even permits the status change.

If this last-ditch effort fails, there are still alternatives to cable, but none of them are as simple and as cheap, and most lack the extra features of Aereo. Good luck, Aereo.
Reply 4 comments

Go Aereo! (Score: 2, Insightful)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-07-17 11:19 (#2HE)

Amazing how hard the existing cable monopolies will fight to ensure nothing innovative or vaguely consumer friendly hits the market. I cut the cable ages ago and don't regret it for a second. For one, I watch what I want when I want it. Secondly, no advertising. Thirdly, no stupid "package deals" where phone and internet and cable are wrapped up into one bundle whose price slowly ratchets upward while the quality slides.

Big cable companies ought to be nuked into high orbit. They're the worst of the worst, in America at least.

Fight the good fight! (Score: 2, Funny)

by nightsky30@pipedot.org on 2014-07-17 11:53 (#2HG)

Apparently Aereo is asking that, since the Supreme Court declared it a "cable company", it should immediately receive cable company status, which the FCC has been previously reluctant to grant to internet-only companies.
The Supreme Court and FCC should have to eat their words now and grant the cable status. Don't give them ketchup either!

You have a point there Oblio (Score: -1, Offtopic)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-07-17 15:20 (#2HS)

Me and my dog Arrow...

Does the FCC have a choice? (Score: 2, Interesting)

by wildwombat@pipedot.org on 2014-07-18 02:56 (#2J3)

If the Supreme Court ruled that Aeroe is a cable company does the FCC really have any choice about whether or not to grant them the status of a cable company? I'm obviously not a lawyer but it seems to me that if the Supreme Court says they're a cable company than the FCC doesn't have a whole hell of a lot of leeway to argue otherwise.

-WW