Online TV streaming service FilmOn.com has introduced a dongle containing a digital terrestrial receiver in order to circumvent the ban on streaming US networks.
The newly introduced device, called FilmOn Air, enables local television reception on smart phones. “FilmOn has licensed over 120 HD online television channels and has even launched its own College Sports and Live Soccer channels but the challenge has been in legally bringing major network programming to our line-up whilst respecting the network’s traditional business models,” said Alki David, FilmOn’s CEO and founder.
The FilmOn Air dongle will be sent free of charge in February to all of its US-based subscribers, who pay $149.95 €117) annually for the basic package. Consumers without a subscription can also buy the device for $95.95. The ATSC receiver is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and Apple’s iOS, and its rechargeable battery lasts for five hours.
Last November, an US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order shutting down FilmOn.com, a site offering free streams of network television programming. The four major broadcast networks, ABC, CBS,NBC and , sued the service for copyright infringement, arguing the service was making unauthorised online retransmissions of their broadcasts.
“In 2010 FilmOn ended up in an ongoing legal battle with all four of the major networks FilmOn’s right to carry their signals over the internet,” David explained. “The case is ongoing and FilmOn expects to settle the dispute this year.”
In Europe, FilmOn also offers live streaming signals from major terrestrial broadcasters, including the BBC and most of the UK’s Freeview channels as well as major private broadcasters from Italy and Germany.
