Aereo, which has already launched in New York, allows you to watch TV on your ‘smart’ devices from tablets to phones to laptop computers for a fee. The service rents you the use of a remote antenna to pick up the local over the air signals through the Internet. It also gives the customer a cloud-based DVR technology to pause, rewind and fast-forward any live program or save it for future viewing.
Who will not like this are the networks, many of which have already sued the company for profiting of copyright infringement of their free over the air signal. But that's for the courts to figure out.
“Texas is the fastest growing state in the nation and the Greater Houston area is a large driver of that growth. That’s why we’re excited to be expanding into Texas,” said Aereo CEO and Founder Chet Kanojia. “Consumers deserve more choice and flexibility in how they experience television and Aereo provides a high-‐ quality, rationally-‐priced alternative. We believe we’ve built something meaningful for consumers and the overwhelming enthusiasm and response we’ve received has been humbling. We’re thrilled to be expanding into the great state of Texas.”
In Houston, consumers will be able to use Aereo’s antenna/DVR technology, to record and watch major networks such as KRIV-‐DT (FOX), KPRC-‐HD (NBC), KTRK-‐HD (ABC), KUHT-‐DT (PBS), KHOU-‐DT (CBS), and KIAH-‐DT (CW) as well as other over-‐the-‐air special interest and foreign language channels, including MundoFox, Telemundo, AntennaTV, ION, Qubo, COZI-‐TV, Saigon TV and many others. In addition, consumers will also have the ability to add Bloomberg Television.
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.
For access to Aereo’s cloud-‐based antenna/DVR technology and 20 hours of DVR storage, it will cost you $8 a month. An additional $4 will upgrade the subscription to receive 60 hours of DVR storage for a total of $12 per month. The first month is free after sign up.
Aereo membership will be available in the following Southeast Texas counties: Trinity, Polk, Walker, Grimes, Jacinto, Liberty, Montgomery, Washington, Austin, Waller, Colorado, Harris, Chambers, Galveston, Fort Bend, Wharton, Brazoria, Matagorda, Jackson and Calhoun.
Houstonians who pre-‐register at Aereo.com will receive priority access to sign up. Aereo’s technology will be available to all consumers in the Greater Houston area on September 16. Dallas will be available September 23.
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