Aereo suspends its TV streaming service indefinitely, following Supreme Court ruling

Aereo has suspended its antenna and internet-based TV service just days after the Supreme Court ruled that it violates US copyright law.

Chet Kanojia, Aereo’s CEO and founder, pledged to fight on but, in a letter to customers published today, he revealed that the company has “decided to pause our operations temporarily as we consult with the court and map out our next steps”. The service went offline at 11:30 ET — Aereo has not said when it will return but it will refund all customers their last paid month.

Aereo uses a large number of tiny antennas to pick up local TV feeds and make them available over the internet. While a Supreme Court decision backed broadcasters that questioned its legality, Kanojia again outlined his belief that US consumers “should have a right to access… live programming whether your antenna sits on the roof of your home, on top of your television or in the cloud”.

➤ A Letter to Our Consumers: Standing Together for Innovation, Progress and Technology – An Update on Aereo

Thumbnail image via Andrew Burton / AFP / Getty Images