HBO Go to Stream Game of Thrones, Curb, and More to Game Consoles
Much like Netflix and Hulu already do, HBO has plans to expand support of its HBO Go on demand service to videogame consoles (and web-connected TVs).
The news was revealed on an earnings conference call earlier today, as attended by Gigaom. No specific consoles or timeline was outlined, although Xbox 360 seems like a likely target given Microsoft's emphasis on streaming media support. (I had hoped for an HBO Go announcement at E3 and was disappointed when one didn't come.) The Wii or 3DS are also possibilities, as they each already have a Netflix app, so streaming video to the systems is possible. Sony already has a relationship with HBO, so PS3 and Vita are also in the discussion.
HBO Go is a video on demand service that is free to all HBO subscribers, provided they have a participating television provider (Comcast, AT&T, Cox, DirecTV, Verizon, and Dish Network all work with it, among others). It's home to a great deal of content -- comedy specials, documentaries, boxing, movies, and its long list of series (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Game of Thrones, The Wire, etc.) -- that can be watched from your browser or, more recently, your iOS or Android device. It's a great service based on my experience using it. The one thing that would be welcomed by many is the ability to subscribe to HBO directly without needing to go through your local television provider.
Netflix has been extremely successful on consoles; a report earlier this year pegged two-thirds of all Netflix Instant Stream usage as coming from Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii users. HBO clearly wants to get Go into the hands of as many people as possible, so making sure people can watch on their TVs -- as opposed to a computer or iPad -- will be a big step in encouraging subscribers to use it and, perhaps, getting others to sign up for HBO.
We've contacted Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to see if they have any plans to support HBO Go on their respective platforms and will report back should we learn more.
I wish that HBO would offer subscriptions directly instead of just through the cable companies. I cancelled my cable, but I'd subscribe to just HBO and use the Go app if that was an option and not too expensive.
At any rate, this is pretty awesome for current subscribers.
Raul3
08-03-11, 02:56 PM
Great news!
cnicholls44
08-03-11, 02:59 PM
I wish that HBO would offer subscriptions directly instead of just through the cable companies. I cancelled my cable, but I'd subscribe to just HBO and use the Go app if that was an option and not too expensive.
At any rate, this is pretty awesome for current subscribers.
pretty awesome as long as your cable company gives you access. Mine does not.
Jeremy517
08-03-11, 03:00 PM
Awesome
starman9000
08-03-11, 03:06 PM
Yep great news, if mine ever gets off their ass and get gives access.
steebo777
08-03-11, 03:09 PM
pretty awesome as long as your cable company gives you access. Mine does not.
Same here but mine said they're working on it.
TheDude
08-03-11, 03:52 PM
Well, if it's like how espn3 and the Xbox are completely still fucked thanks to TW, I don't see how this could possibly go wrong.
Decker
08-03-11, 04:05 PM
I really like HBO Go on the iPad. On my TV, I can currently watch the most recent episodes of some of their shows On Demand, but they do funny things with the On Demand servers, like pull every episode of Game of Thrones on 7/18. On HBO Go, they have every episode of most of their current or recent shows. Now I'll be able to watch any episode of <strike>Real Sex</strike> The Wire on the big screen TV any time I want to.
xmiyux
08-03-11, 04:10 PM
I wish that HBO would offer subscriptions directly instead of just through the cable companies. I cancelled my cable, but I'd subscribe to just HBO and use the Go app if that was an option and not too expensive.
At any rate, this is pretty awesome for current subscribers.
This this and this.
I don't have cable but subscribe to Netflix and Hulu+. I could easily see swinging a subscription to just HBO streaming for my console so I could watch those shows.
chuckd21
08-03-11, 04:41 PM
No Dream On, no sale!
clckworang
08-03-11, 04:52 PM
:thumbsup: This is great news. I was actually a little surprised when HBO GO came out that it didn't have any console support. I much prefer streaming from my console than my PC.
Liver&Onions
08-03-11, 04:56 PM
oooh snap! I can finally watch The Wire.
Deftones
08-03-11, 05:06 PM
this is awesome news. can't wait for more companies to do this. :up:
edstein
08-03-11, 05:45 PM
This this and this.
I don't have cable but subscribe to Netflix and Hulu+. I could easily see swinging a subscription to just HBO streaming for my console so I could watch those shows.
To go a step further I'd like to see Microsoft bundle these services together for a discounted price and then include that with my gold subscription.
sven
08-03-11, 05:54 PM
Smart!
Doesn't do me much good though cuz my cable company doesn't participate.
Supermallet
08-03-11, 06:41 PM
HBO definitely needs to offer subscriptions outside of cable service. I would certainly consider this if it were available to those without cable.
Decker
08-03-11, 06:45 PM
HBO definitely needs to offer subscriptions outside of cable service. I would certainly consider this if it were available to those without cable.
I sort of doubt the arrangement HBO has with the major cable providers would allow that sort of thing. I have no knowledge either way on the subject, but reading the ESPN book just reminds me that the contracts that cable channels make with cable companies can be very restrictive and complicated.
Supermallet
08-03-11, 07:48 PM
Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if the cable companies have HBO in a strait jacket. I'm sure they hate the idea that HBO GO is available at all.
trespoochies
08-03-11, 07:53 PM
Fuck you Time Warner for not supporting it. Glad I'm finally moving where I can get U-Verse.
Cory02
08-03-11, 08:01 PM
Add me to the list that would love to be able to subscribe to HBO GO.
xmiyux
08-03-11, 09:13 PM
To go a step further I'd like to see Microsoft bundle these services together for a discounted price and then include that with my gold subscription.
Oh I totally agree and I would happily pay this on top of gold. As my wife and daughter start playing more games with me I know we will upgrade to the family Gold membership soon.
If I could then pay extra and bundle in HBO, Hulu, Netflix... hell give me Amazon Video as well (since I have Prime) I would be so happy. It would be even more awesome if I could search shows in one app that would simply pull them from all the services would be beyond dreamy.
scott1598
08-03-11, 09:57 PM
Love it on my Droid and can't wait to stream on my HDTV. Guess DirecTV is good for something after all.
superdeluxe
08-04-11, 01:49 PM
Another device that I can get HBO go on :bow:
JasonF
08-04-11, 08:42 PM
Pretty sweet move. I have my PC hooked up to the same TV my consoles are on so this doesn't do much for me, but for most people, this is the easiest way to get HBO Go on a nice big screen.
Semi on-topic, but thanks to HBO Go, I'm finally watching Curb Your Enthusiasm after years of thinking "I should really watch that."
GizmoDVD
08-04-11, 09:17 PM
Cool...but I'll cancel HBO as soon as True Blood/Curb ends.
JasonF
08-05-11, 11:28 AM
Cool...but I'll cancel HBO as soon as True Blood/Curb ends.
Not to completely derail this thread, but I can always find something good on HBO. After True Blood, we're getting Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire -- there's no way I'd miss that.
RichC2
08-05-11, 01:04 PM
Boardwalk Empire never gelled for me, watched the entire first season and I frankly just didn't care about any of the characters which made watching the show a bit of a chore. Was one of my bigger disappointments this year considering the people behind it.
But I'm keeping HBO for Eastbound and Down and Bored to Death. Then I'll see where I stand.
clckworang
08-05-11, 01:21 PM
Not to completely derail this thread, but I can always find something good on HBO. After True Blood, we're getting Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire -- there's no way I'd miss that.
Don't forget about all the great documentaries that HBO shows.
superdeluxe
08-07-11, 01:47 AM
game of thrones
DJariya
08-07-11, 02:37 AM
:thumbsup:
Awesome news! I subscribed to HBO specfically for Game of Thrones, but once HBO Go was introduced, I was hooked. The back catalogue is amazing. It will be nice to stream HBO Go on my TV instead of my PC.
The shows are great and the documentaries are awesome. Love HBO Sports documentaries and Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.
Now, I have to wonder if Max Go (Cinemax) will be available anytime soon. :D I have that for $7 a month for the next 6 months.
steebo777
08-12-11, 10:49 AM
True Blood, Entourage, Boardwalk, Game of Thrones, the list goes on. This is excellent news! I wish they would release it on AppleTV too.
Buy: