• by Wayne Friedman , November 2, 2010

FilmOn, the new digital video site in conflict with the broadcast networks, says its has launched FilmOn Mobile, providing similar live TV network programming.

At present, the California company is grabbing broadcast on-air signals from the big four networks via Los Angeles TV stations for its services, as well as a dozen other programming services from LA-based outlets: Azteca America (KAZA-TV),Telemundo (KVEA-TV), The CW (KTLA-TV), Univision (KMEX-TV), Universal Sports, PBS (KOCE-TV), KCAL-TV, ION Television (KPXN-TV), My Network TV (KCOP-TV), Telemundo (KVEA-TV), and Universal Sports.

Other announced services via its online site include: BBC News, Bloomberg International, CNN International, Dubai Sports, Flaunt, Horse & Country, More Music, Rai Sports, Scuzz Music, Sky News, Viva, and Wedding TV.

FilmOn Mobile says it is the first free, fully functional live television platform for mobile devices, including the iPad, Android and BlackBerry models.

A key caveat: FilmOn does not have any deals with TV broadcast networks giving it the right to re-air TV shows under special copyright considerations, much in the same way that cable and satellite programming providers air programs.

Launched in late September, FilmOn was immediately sued by the four broadcast networks for violating their programming copyrights -- a move that was expected. FilmOn.com, started up by British billionaire Alki David, was launched in the United Kingdom last year.

Similarly, the Seattle-based ivi TV was recently sued by the networks for copyright infringement. That company also re-airs local broadcast signals from stations in Seattle and New York. Getting the jump on possible litigation, ivi TV took the unusual move of suing the networks first in mid-September, soon after its launch.

Both FilmOn.com and ivi TV launches were timed to coincide with the new broadcast season.