Cablevision says broadcasters overreaching in Aereo case

Cablevision Systems said that broadcast networks are seeking a "radical" legal ruling that would spell trouble for cloud-based content services and threaten Cablevision's ability to offer DVR recording to its customers. The position taken by Cablevision is the latest development in hard-fought litigation involving Aereo, an online television venture backed by Barry Diller, as well as broadcast networks and cable providers.

Broadcasters including Walt Disney's ABC and Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal claim that Aereo's streaming service violates their copyright. Aereo does not pay licensing fees to the broadcasters, while pay-TV operators, such as Cablevision and Comcast, shell out billions in retransmission consent fees to broadcasters. The television industry is closely watching the case to see whether it could disrupt the traditional TV model. The industry sees Aereo and similar services as a threat to its ability to control subscription fees and generate advertising income, its two main sources of revenue.