HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
08-03-11, 02:40 PM
#1
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HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
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.
Can't wait!
08-03-11, 02:42 PM
#2
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Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
At any rate, this is pretty awesome for current subscribers.
08-03-11, 02:59 PM
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Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
At any rate, this is pretty awesome for current subscribers.
08-03-11, 03:09 PM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
08-03-11, 03:52 PM
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
08-03-11, 04:05 PM
#9
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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 Real Sex The Wire on the big screen TV any time I want to.
08-03-11, 04:10 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
At any rate, this is pretty awesome for current subscribers.
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.
08-03-11, 04:52 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
08-03-11, 05:06 PM
#14
DVD Talk God
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
this is awesome news. can't wait for more companies to do this.
08-03-11, 05:45 PM
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
08-03-11, 06:41 PM
#17
Banned by request
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
HBO definitely needs to offer subscriptions outside of cable service. I would certainly consider this if it were available to those without cable.
08-03-11, 06:45 PM
#18
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
08-03-11, 07:48 PM
#19
Banned by request
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
Last edited by Supermallet; 08-03-11 at 08:10 PM.
08-03-11, 09:13 PM
#22
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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.
08-04-11, 08:42 PM
#25
Suspended
Re: HBO GO Coming to Game Consoles
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."
Semi on-topic, but thanks to HBO Go, I'm finally watching Curb Your Enthusiasm after years of thinking "I should really watch that."
