Thesis
Television broadcasters vs. Aereo: a case study
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
01 Jul 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6486
Abstract
This thesis is a case study of a controversial technology company by the name of Aereo, Inc. Aereo was a technology company based in New York that created a dime-sized antenna that allowed subscribers to view over-the-air television on internet-connected devices. The technology used by Aereo potentially affected the broadcast business model because the antennas could pick up broadcast signals and retransmit broadcasters' programs to its subscribers without payment of a retransmission fee. Thus, broadcasters decided to file suit against Aereo, Inc. Through a timeline analysis, this thesis examines the reasons and facts that led to Aereo's loss in court, as well as the significance of the Aereo cases to the major networks such as ABC, Fox, NBC and CBS who were potentially affected by the outcome of the courts' decisions. After proceeding through various local and federal lawsuits against Aereo, broadcasters weren't satisfied with the decisions and brought the case to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in a 6-3 decision that Aereo's business model was no different than a cable television provider, despite the differences in technology, and that Aereo was violating US copyright law (McKenna, 2014). Aereo filed for bankruptcy protection in November, 2014. As a result, Aereo received $2 million by selling its assets to TiVo and other companies. Aereo, the now-defunct provider of internet TV, cloud DVR services, and ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC and other broadcasters reached a $950,000 settlement. As of April 22, 2015, this settlement was awaiting approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Baumgartner, 2015).
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Details
- Title
- Television broadcasters vs. Aereo
- Creators
- Jiaying Wang - DU
- Contributors
- Philip W. Salas (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)Albert S. Tedesco (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 54 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Television (and Media) Management; Cinema and Television; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 6486; 991014632325104721