Company still in legal battle with networks

FilmOn, which has been engaged in a legal battle with major networks over the licensing of content, has announced an end-run around the issues with the announcement of FilmOn AIR, an ATSC digital antenna that plugs into either computers or mobile devices and displays legal "over-the-air" digital signals from the major networks and any other local broadcasters. The device is free with every annual US-based subscription to FilmOn's service.

The online service, which is also available through a free app for iOS and Android devices, brings "HD quality" as well as standard TV broadcasts from around the world to computers via web browser and mobile devices via apps using Wi-Fi with an emphasis on sports and news broadcasts from various content providers. The company says it has licensed over 120 HD television channels but has not yet successfully gotten permission to show major-network programming.

The FilmON AIR antenna is free with a basic subscription, which costs $150 per year (monthly and other packages are also available). The antenna is available separately for $96 and can be used with the free apps to watch and even record local programming and available free online programming without a subscription, though the channel selection is very limited. The FilmOn AIR features a built-in battery and works for up to five hours or it can be plugged into an electrical source through a secondary USB slot. A version of the app that works directly with the FilmOn Air will, like the antenna itself, be available in February.

By Electronista Staff