Aereo Introduces Free Trial And New Prices For Its Internet TV Service
Aereo, a broadcast-streaming startup, is working to try to build its subscriber base. To help accomplish this, the company introduced a new pricing structure as well as a free plan. Aereo's service lets customers access live broadcast TV on their iPad, iPhone, Safari on MacBook, AppleTV and Roku box. Aereo doesn't require a box or application to run.
Aereo's new pricing structure includes a $1 day pass, $8 and $12 monthly plans, and an $80 annual plan. Aereo Try for Free offers one continuous hour of viewing each day for free. All Aereo users can use the company's remote antenna and DVR technology to watch, pause, rewind, and fast-forward a program. Paid Aereo members also get access to remote DVR storage, depending on their membership level. Aereo membership is currently only available to residents of New York City; Aereo Try For Free is only available to people physically present in New York. Aereo offers 28 broadcast channels available over-the-air in New York City. Support for PCs and Android devices is expected later this summer.
AEREO UNVEILS NEW, FLEXIBLE PRICING STRUCTURE AND Aereo Try for Free – SIMPLE, EASY WAYS TO EXPERIENCE AEREO'S INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Aereo rolls out a new pricing structure for consumers that includes a $1 day pass, $8 and $12 monthly plans and an $80 annual plan
Aereo Try For Free provides consumers an easy, commitment-free way of experiencing Aereo's technology for one hour each day, free of charge
NEW YORK, NY (August 2, 2012) – Aereo, Inc. today announced a new membership pricing structure that provides consumers with more choice and flexibility to experience Aereo's groundbreaking television technology. In addition, the company also announced a new feature called Aereo Try for Free, which allows consumers the ability to access Aereo's technology for a continuous one-hour period each day, free of charge. Aereo membership is currently only available to residents of New York City and the Aereo Try For Free feature is only available to people physically present in New York.
Aereo's innovative technology allows consumers to access live broadcast television on compatible Internet connected devices, at home or on the go. With Aereo, there is no application to download and no box to install, so consumers can root for the home team, catch a newsbreak or watch their favorite broadcast programs with ease. An Aereo consumer uses a remotely located individual antenna and DVR, so users never have to worry about installing equipment or waiting for the 'cable guy.' Aereo is currently available to residents of New York City and is supported on iPad, iPhone, Safari on MacBook, AppleTV and Roku.
"We know that one size does not fit all, that's why we've designed our new pricing structure to work for a wide variety of lifestyles," said Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia. "Whether you want a day pass to watch the 'big game' on your mobile device or an annual membership that provides you with 40 hours of DVR storage, we have a plan that works for you. Our pricing is designed to work with the consumer – not against them."
Aereo Try for Free is simple to use and provides consumers access to live broadcast television free for an hour each day. For example, if your Aereo Try for Free use begins at 2PM, your access will continue to 3PM. While the Aereo Try for Free feature is free, as with any Aereo plan, users are responsible for any relevant data charges. Getting started is simple: Visit Aereo.com, create a login and password and, subject to capacity, consumers can begin using Aereo Try For Free immediately. There is no credit card to enter, but users must be located within New York City to use Aereo Try for Free.
All Aereo users, including Aereo Try for Free will be able to use Aereo's remote antenna/DVR technology to watch broadcast television live and to pause, rewind and fast-forward any program that they are watching, just as you can with "live" television on a home DVR. With Aereo Try For Free, consumers make recordings of their programming for live play but those recordings are not retained after viewing and there is no DVR storage for future recordings. However, with a paid Aereo membership (day pass, monthly & annual memberships), consumers get live broadcast television, as well as access to remote DVR storage, based on membership level. Aereo Try For Free users are able to upgrade at any time to a membership plan.
Aereo announced its new pricing structure two weeks after federal Judge Alison J. Nathan issued a ruling denying a motion for a preliminary injunction against Aereo filed in February 2012 by a group of 17 network broadcasters.
Aereo believes that consumers have a fundamental right to access over the air television that broadcasts on the public airwaves, and that enhancing and supporting public access to that local broadcast signal is important. Aereo allows consumers portable and simple access to that broadcast television signal. In times of emergencies and breaking news, access to timely, live information is crucial. Aereo can serve as another avenue for the public to access that important information.
In New York City, there are currently 28 broadcast channels available over-the-air, including major networks such as WABC, WNBC, WCBS, WNYW-FOX, WPIX-11, WNET-PBS, and PBS Kids, special interest channels such as NYC.GOV, NYC-LIFE, Ion and Qubo, and foreign language broadcast channels such as Telemundo, Azteca, Telefutura, Univision, Sinovision, NTDTV and CGN-TV. Aereo is currently supported on iPad, iPhone, Safari on MacBook, AppleTV and Roku. Additional device support, including PC's and Android is expected later this summer. For more information on devices and a full list of available channels, please visit: Aereo.com.
