Skip to main content

CBS may create an Internet-TV service if Aereo wins in Supreme Court

les-moonves
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mentioned within a CNBC interview with Les Moonves this week, the CBS President said that the network could potentially build a system identical to Aereo that offers up live streaming network content over the Internet through a subscription model and include DVR capabilities as well. That decision would likely impact Hulu’s business model significantly, basically since Hulu doesn’t provide access to new television episodes until the following day at the earliest. 

Moonves didn’t seem particularly concerned about the upcoming Supreme Court decision regarding Aereo. Within the interview, Moonves said “If we don’t win, we have other ways of making up for it. It’s nothing I lose sleep over.” When asked about the ways to make up for it, Moonves stated “Putting our shows directly on cable, forming our own Aereo with other networks, going over the top. Lots of solutions. No fear on my part.”

Aereo devices
Image used with permission by copyright holder

However, Moonves does believe that the networks will lose the case. Since U.S. solicitor general Donald B. Verrilli Jr. came out in favor of the networks in this case, it’s likely that the Supreme Court will also rule the same way since the majority of decisions agree with the solicitor general’s opinion. Explained in a brief, the solicitor general states “Like its competitors, respondent therefore must obtain licenses to perform the copyrighted content on which its business relies.”

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case on April 22 and a decision will likely follow before the end of June 2014. Aereo’s business model basically allows consumers the ability to remotely rent a HD antenna, similar to purchasing one for their home, and access both local, live streaming and recorded network content over the Internet. The networks are arguing that Aereo is illegally transmitting the content, thus violating copyright law. Aereo has been fairly successful defending the legality of the business model in lower courts up to this point in time.

Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
Beats Solo 4: the latest on-ear headphones get spatial and lossless audio
Beats Solo 4 in Cloud Pink.

After a nearly eight-year gap, Beats finally has an updated version of its Solo wireless on-ear headphones: the Beats Solo 4. The fourth-gen cans look nearly identical to their predecessors and they sport the same $200 price tag. Under that familiar exterior, however, lies a series of upgrades, including support for spatial and lossless audio, that Beats hopes will keep the Solo 4 as its most popular product. The Solo 4 can be ordered starting April 30 in Matte Black, Slate Blue, and Cloud Pink, with shipping beginning May 2. Beats also debuted its latest wireless earbuds, the Solo Buds.

Physically, very little has changed since the Solo3 Wireless debuted in 2016. The Solo 4 preserves the now-classic Beats lines, with the same folding hinges and a low-profile headband that transitions seamlessly into the earcups. Some of the chrome-finish accents have been retired, but the distinctive lowercase "b" Beats logo is still front and center.

Read more
AirPods won’t connect or pair? Here’s how to fix it
Apple Music's spatial audio collection seen on an iPhone 14, next to Apple AirPods Pro.

Apple AirPods are among the best wireless earbuds in the world. They sound great, their portability makes them perfect for carrying with you wherever you go, and they're easy to set up and use. Until they're not.

Whether you're sporting the latest 2nd-generation AirPods Pro or the 3rd-gen AirPods , there are various reasons your AirPods may not be connecting to your iPhone or any other device. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to fix this. Here is what you can do when your AirPods won’t connect or pair.

Read more
This massive 98-inch Samsung QLED TV is $3,000 off this month
The Samsung Q80C placed in a living room on a TV stand.

If money's no object in your search for the biggest screens among TV deals, you're going to want to check out the 98-inch Samsung Q80C QLED 4K TV. Your budget may be limitless, but you might as well enjoy huge savings with your purchase as Samsung is offering a $3,000 discount that slashes the TV's price from $8,000 to $5,000. It's still not cheap, but this is the display that you want for your home theater setup if you're after a top-tier combination of size and quality. You'll need to complete the transaction quickly though -- the savings may be around for a while, but we're not sure how long stocks will hold.

Why you should buy the 98-inch Samsung Q80C QLED 4K TV
First and foremost, you're going to have to check out our guide on what size TV to buy because the 98-inch Samsung Q80C QLED 4K TV is simply gigantic. However, if you have enough space for it, you'll be getting a truly cinematic experience in your own living room. With 4K Ultra HD resolution, you'll be watching your favorite shows with sharp details and lifelike colors, and with QLED technology, you'll enjoy incredible brightness. The TV's Neural Quantum Processor, which uses AI and 20 neural networks, will further improve picture quality on the massive screen, as well as upscale all content to 4K quality.

Read more