Internet Streaming TV Service Aereo Snags Another $34 Million Investment
This is its third round of investment, bringing the total to $63 million, according to Crunchbase.
This is also a vote of confidence that Aereo will beat lawsuits by broadcasters like Fox and CBS that want its business model declared illegal. After a string of such suits, last month, Aereo founder and CEO Chet Kanojia told his rivals to bring their best legal arguments to the Supreme Court to settle the litigation once and for all.
Aereo captures live over-air television broadcast with antennas and streams them over the Internet to your laptop or mobile device. It charges subscribers $8 a month. Broadcasters say Aereo threatens their business.
Aereo has been famously backed by media mogul Barry Diller's IAC who contributed to this round as well, the company says. It also landed a big-name new investor: Gordon Crawford. Crawford is known for backing companies like Time Warner, Liberty Media, News Corp, Comcast and DirecTV.
The round also includes participation from Himalaya Capital Management and existing investors Highland Capital Partners, FirstMark Capital, and others.