HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/15/h...aming-service/
If you've been pining for HBO without having to splurge for a cable subscription, you may soon be in luck. At a Time Warner investor meeting today, HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler announced that the company would flip the switch on a web-based streaming service next year. The over-the-top option will leverage HBO's current partners and offer access to its content without the need for a full cable package. During his remarks, Plepler mentioned that there are 10 million homes that only pay for internet rather than a bundle, and the figure is only expected to grow. Of course, there's no word on pricing or any of the finer details right now, but we expect to hear much more in the months to come. If you'll recall, reports indicate that ESPN is also working on an NBA streaming option, serving up a slate of live regular-season games to folks who don't pay for cable service.
If you've been pining for HBO without having to splurge for a cable subscription, you may soon be in luck. At a Time Warner investor meeting today, HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler announced that the company would flip the switch on a web-based streaming service next year. The over-the-top option will leverage HBO's current partners and offer access to its content without the need for a full cable package. During his remarks, Plepler mentioned that there are 10 million homes that only pay for internet rather than a bundle, and the figure is only expected to grow. Of course, there's no word on pricing or any of the finer details right now, but we expect to hear much more in the months to come. If you'll recall, reports indicate that ESPN is also working on an NBA streaming option, serving up a slate of live regular-season games to folks who don't pay for cable service.
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
So they won't go lower then the $15 that they charge the cable subscribers so I'll wait and see what will be included on the streaming side of things.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/hbo-t...ice-1413385733
http://online.wsj.com/articles/hbo-t...ice-1413385733
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
If it was, it'd be because HBO was doing the cable providers a favor. There is profit sharing involved with HBO via Cable Companies, cut out the cable companies and you have pure profit.
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
i wonder what impact this will have on Amazon Prime which is currently hosting some pretty good HBO stuff...
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Depends on how long that Amazon contract is.
#9
Moderator
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Some new info/rumors from an IBTimes article.
- Launching in April (timed with GOT season premiere)
- $15 a month
- Available on Apple TV at launch
- Some cable providers (Cox & Cablevision) may bundle HBO Now with internet-only packages.
- Will be a separate service from HBOGo with it's own apps.
- Launching in April (timed with GOT season premiere)
- $15 a month
- Available on Apple TV at launch
- Some cable providers (Cox & Cablevision) may bundle HBO Now with internet-only packages.
- Will be a separate service from HBOGo with it's own apps.
Spoiler:
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
So AppleTV will have a three month exclusive on HBO Now, according to this article today:
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/9/817...-now-announced
HBO's long awaited standalone subscription service is coming next month, and Apple TV has been announced as the company's "exclusive" launch device. Viewers will be able to watch HBO Now from web browsers, but Apple TV is the only streaming box getting it to start. "All you need to get HBO Now is a broadband connection and an Apple device," said HBO CEO Richard Plepler. Priced at $14.99 per month, HBO Now will offer access to HBO's entirely library of original shows and also its large catalog of feature films.
Customers will get a free month if they sign up from an Apple device during April, Plepler said, a move that should guarantee some pretty quick growth. This is a service that people have waited years for, remember. HBO's choice to partner initially with Apple alone is an interesting one; rather than attack every streaming device on the market, it's giving Apple's device a high-profile push. You can subscribe to HBO Now directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The exclusivity period will last three months, according to CNN's Brian Stelter.
As its own part of the big announcement, Apple revealed that it's cutting the price of Apple TV to $69. Rather than introduce an updated model of the set-top box, Apple is lowering the cost to better compete against Roku, Amazon, and others.
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/9/817...-now-announced
HBO's long awaited standalone subscription service is coming next month, and Apple TV has been announced as the company's "exclusive" launch device. Viewers will be able to watch HBO Now from web browsers, but Apple TV is the only streaming box getting it to start. "All you need to get HBO Now is a broadband connection and an Apple device," said HBO CEO Richard Plepler. Priced at $14.99 per month, HBO Now will offer access to HBO's entirely library of original shows and also its large catalog of feature films.
Customers will get a free month if they sign up from an Apple device during April, Plepler said, a move that should guarantee some pretty quick growth. This is a service that people have waited years for, remember. HBO's choice to partner initially with Apple alone is an interesting one; rather than attack every streaming device on the market, it's giving Apple's device a high-profile push. You can subscribe to HBO Now directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The exclusivity period will last three months, according to CNN's Brian Stelter.
As its own part of the big announcement, Apple revealed that it's cutting the price of Apple TV to $69. Rather than introduce an updated model of the set-top box, Apple is lowering the cost to better compete against Roku, Amazon, and others.
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
That's stupid, but right on. If it were an Apple TV exclusive all around, I'd have to plug that sucker back in. I think I can wait it out for 3 months while Apple sops up all the Game of Thrones fans.
#12
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
$15 a month is not bad. I was expecting $20. Will it have new episodes the next day?
I just read Apple TV is the only device that will stream HBO in 1080P. WTF?!
I just read Apple TV is the only device that will stream HBO in 1080P. WTF?!
Last edited by mhg83; 03-10-15 at 12:45 AM.
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Where'd you read that? It's going to be on Apple TV exclusively (for TV devices) for 3 months, I didn't see anything about it being the only platform to offer 1080p (though they don't normally do 1080p to PCs/Macs, so that'd make sense too).
But considering it hasn't been announced for any other platforms, I guess it'd make sense to say that it's the only platform.
But considering it hasn't been announced for any other platforms, I guess it'd make sense to say that it's the only platform.
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Well that sucks. I was hoping they would make this widely available rather than use it as a promotion for Apple products. I cetainly don't want or need another streaming device.
I guess GoT will remain the most pirated show on television.
I guess GoT will remain the most pirated show on television.
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
$15 sounds good to me. I don't know if it is something I would keep all year. If I can binge watch something over a couple of months and then cancel for a while, I'll do that.
#16
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Was hoping for $10 a month. Isn't $15 around what a subscription on cable costs? Won't be getting it until they release it for the Roku at the earliest.
#18
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Where'd you read that? It's going to be on Apple TV exclusively (for TV devices) for 3 months, I didn't see anything about it being the only platform to offer 1080p (though they don't normally do 1080p to PCs/Macs, so that'd make sense too).
But considering it hasn't been announced for any other platforms, I guess it'd make sense to say that it's the only platform.
But considering it hasn't been announced for any other platforms, I guess it'd make sense to say that it's the only platform.
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
I was paying $17.99 for HBO on DirecTV before I cut the cord a couple of weeks ago. It wouldn't make any sense for them to release this at $10 and undercut the cable price. I'm sure there are contracts in place to keep them from siphoning off cable customers & keep this geared toward cord cutters.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Interesting speculation going on in another tech forum regarding pricing on this service: After the three month Apple exclusive is over...can Amazon offer a discounted price per month for HBO NOW service if you were to, say, subscribe to Amazon Prime for a year?
My initial thought is "not bloody likely" but then again...is $14.99 the "MSRP" or is it firm with HBO with no room for discounts?
Perhaps more likely is offer the same kind of promotion they offered with Sling recently...subscribe to HBO NOW for "x" amount of months, and get a discount off of a Fire TV device or Roku device.
Read here: http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/09/hbo-now-strings/
My initial thought is "not bloody likely" but then again...is $14.99 the "MSRP" or is it firm with HBO with no room for discounts?
Perhaps more likely is offer the same kind of promotion they offered with Sling recently...subscribe to HBO NOW for "x" amount of months, and get a discount off of a Fire TV device or Roku device.
Read here: http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/09/hbo-now-strings/
Last edited by parker63; 03-10-15 at 05:10 PM.
#21
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
Interesting speculation going on in another tech forum regarding pricing on this service: After the three month Apple exclusive is over...can Amazon offer a discounted price per month for HBO NOW service if you were to, say, subscribe to Amazon Prime for a year?
My initial thought is "not bloody likely" but then again...is $14.99 the "MSRP" or is it firm with HBO with no room for discounts?
Perhaps more likely is offer the same kind of promotion they offered with Sling recently...subscribe to HBO NOW for "x" amount of months, and get a discount off of a Fire TV device or Roku device.
Read here: http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/09/hbo-now-strings/
My initial thought is "not bloody likely" but then again...is $14.99 the "MSRP" or is it firm with HBO with no room for discounts?
Perhaps more likely is offer the same kind of promotion they offered with Sling recently...subscribe to HBO NOW for "x" amount of months, and get a discount off of a Fire TV device or Roku device.
Read here: http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/09/hbo-now-strings/
http://order.hbonow.com/
#22
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
I didn't see the demo, is the functionality any different than HBO Go?
Also I get that the shows are the main draw, but the selection of movies (on HBO Go) is a joke, wonder if they'll step it up for this service.
Also I get that the shows are the main draw, but the selection of movies (on HBO Go) is a joke, wonder if they'll step it up for this service.
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
In other words, after this season of "Game of Thrones" is done airing.
My plan is to go ahead and subscribe through Apple during the initial rollout and get the first month free. After the first three months (and this season's "Game of Thrones") I'll re-evaluate whether to continue. I'll certainly be looking for discounts from other providers.
I think the movie selection more or less mirrors what's airing on HBO in any given month, so the selection is limited but it changes all the time.
My plan is to go ahead and subscribe through Apple during the initial rollout and get the first month free. After the first three months (and this season's "Game of Thrones") I'll re-evaluate whether to continue. I'll certainly be looking for discounts from other providers.
I think the movie selection more or less mirrors what's airing on HBO in any given month, so the selection is limited but it changes all the time.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
I was under the impression that this is a live streaming feed of the HBO channel (presumingly the East Coast feed, but who knows). I'm not sure if it ALSO has a selection of episodes/movies like HBO GO or not.
#25
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Standalone Streaming Service Coming in 2015
http://www.apple.com/appletv/hbo-now/
(on a side note, when i see this pic of arya and the hound, i think hound is texting instead of counting coin)