When you think about it, Comcast NBC Universal is doing the same stuff with Aereo.

Broadcasters get a government monopoly on a finite resource. Broadcasters don't provide a good signal to all customers. Some customers want to use Aereo (that's not the only reason, but a real reason) instead of paying for cable.

But no, the broadcasters want to be paid for not-providing a signal to those customers. Instead of investing to improve their infrastructure, they want to be paid for not improving it. With a straight face.

Of course it's especially ridiculous in the case where it's Comcast NBC, and they are also an ISP. If Aereo wins at SCOTUS, and grows big enough, Comcast NBC can get their pound of flesh as an ISP like they do with Netflix.

It is all well and truly fscked.