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Aereo.com, a contentious television service that started in New York City and is the subject of a lawsuit filed by TV broadcasters, is set to launch in Salt Lake City this year.

The company announced this week at the International CES in Las Vegas that it will be expanding for the first time when it debuts in 22 additional U.S. cities beginning in the spring. Others on the list include Denver, Detroit, Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami and Boston.

Aereo.com is an Internet-based TV service whose subscribers can view their local over-the-air broadcast networks, as well as more than 20 other networks, on Internet-connected devices such as computers, mobile phones and tablets.

In addition to watching live TV, Aereo also allows the user to record programs for viewing later with a DVR-like feature. There is no equipment to install to your television or computer to enable the service, and you don't need a cable or satellite TV subscription.

Membership plans begin at $1 per day, $8 per month or $80 per year. Aereo is supported on the iPad, iPhone, Chrome web browser, Internet Explorer 9, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and the AppleTV and Roku set top boxes.

"Consumers want and deserve a choice. Watching television should be simple, convenient and rationally priced," company CEO and founder Chet Kanojia said in a statement. "Aereo's technology provides exactly that, choice, flexibility and a first-class experience that every consumer deserves."

Aereo launched a beta version of its service in New York City last March just after such broadcasters as ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC filed a lawsuit against the company alleging copyright violation. Those broadcasters were dealt a blow in July when U.S. District Court Judge Alison Nathan denied a preliminary injunction and said that Aereo could continue to do business. The broadcasters have since filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Aereo announced earlier this week that it received $38 million in funding from existing investors IAC and Highland Capital Partners. Aereo's main backer is media mogul Barry Diller, the former head of Paramount Pictures, Fox Broadcasting and USA Broadcasting.

Access to the service will be by invitation only, which can be requested at Aereo's website at www.aereo.com">http://www.aereo.com.

Google+: +Vincent Horiuchi —

Accessing the service

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