Streaming t.v. shows illegal vs. downloading to own???

Question

Hi -

is it only downloading that is illegal? I live in europe at the moment as do many other military personal and we don't have access to stream the shows from the broadcast website like abc or the cw. there are other websites that repost these broadcasts so everyone around the world can see them too. Is it wrong to be watching these streams? ( I would not include movies in this because like I said the networks themselves are offering the shows for free in the U.S.) We are U.S. citizens too!!! But I really don't want to do something wrong - so streaming instead of downloading???
Does someone have a legal reference?

The thing that got me thinking about it, is that from abroad I can pay for it through itunes (although not amazin unbox) - pay for exactly what the network is broadcasting for free as could any non- citizen around the world and its hard for me to go to one website and pay for it where I know it's available on another one and FREE to anyone on U.S. soil...

Answer 1

doesn't matter where you are in the world, if you do not own
the program's rights' then it is illegal

but in your circumstances, you could do it but just don't re-broadcast it or sell it

Answer 2

Use of the content in any manner other than that authorized by the owner of the property rights is illegal. If the owner has limited access to streams within the US, any other use would be illegal. An unauthorized foreign stream would be just as illegal as downloading a pirated copy of the show.

The networks decide when and if their content is released for use by the Armed Forces Network. One of the problems that they have often had is that the content released for AFN use winds up on foreign TV stations or internet sites shortly after it's released to AFN. As a result, normally the content isn't released to AFN until it's released for foreign distribution, typically one or two seasons behind the US release.

It doesn't matter that you are a US citizen living outside the US. If the content's owner chooses to not allow its distribution outside the US then you are not legally entitled to access the content in any unlicensed form.

Answer 3

tv shows such as soap operas, comedy, or drama, if not available in a certain territory, are syndicated by local broadcasters for distribution. the local broadcaster buys this right in order to have more audience and to disseminate the show that is not locally available, say, an american show in europe.

so if you wish to watch the shows via stream, then it is fine, it is actually distributed to the locals freely.

the aim of broadcasters is to reach as many viewers as possible and one way to accomplish this is to broadcast recorded shows over the internet, which can then be made available to everyone.

and to sum it up. no, you are not doing anything illegal.

Answer 4

No it is not doing wrong at all. Streaming is just that and it is the ones doing the streaming that has to make sure the red tape is in place. The advertisers are the ones that pay for what you re conserned about. Go ahead and enjoy it is there for you to watch any time you like.