Following the New York launch of streaming TV service Aereo, an Atlanta-based company called Skitter is now offering customers in Portland broadcast channels over the internet.
GigaOM reports that Skitter quietly launched in March, making Portland’s network affiliates available to local viewers using a Roku or WD Live set-top box.
The crucial difference between Skitter’s service and Aereo’s is that Skitter has all of the necessary licenses to retransmit stations’ programming. While Aereo is locked in a legal battle with broadcasters in New York over copyright infringement, Skitter will seemingly be able to avoid the same legal troubles since the company, which previously offered its internet broadcasting solution to small telco operators, already has retrans deals with broadcasters.
Skitter plans to roll out its service to five additional markets by the end of this quarter.
[GigaOM]