I like that feature quite a bit because I sometimes travel quite a bit for work and I can watch shows live.

Starz, when it was prominent on Netflix, also had a live stream channel (it was more or less Netflix's only live channel)

I was able to get HBO with an antennae when it first launched I think.

But will they ever include Spawn or John From Cincinnati?

Was only a matter of time and frankly am surprised someone didn't come to the table with this proposal sooner. With the increased platform of pay channels these days, the market is there.

They've been considering it for a long time apparently, but they were always ahead of Netflix and felt their camaraderie with the cable companies was a good thing, until last quarter.

http://nypost.com/2014/08/07/netflix...surpasses-hbo/

Translated: It's on.

Bye Cable, Hello HBO.

Does this mean we'll eventually be able to purchase specific channels for whatever monthly fee they charge via a Roku type box? A HBO channel, ESPN channel, AMC channel, etc.?

I don't think this means that any of that will happen, but it could be the first step in a long journey towards that end. That said, as long as the cable companies still own and operate the infrastructure used to deliver that content, don't think for a second that they won't get their cut in the end.

Another question is how many separate streaming services/channels would people be willing to subscribe to (if they don't have cable). If this leads to more a la carte type streaming services. I mean would people be willing to pay $10-15 per month for separate AMC, TNT, FX, Food Network, Travel Channel, MTV, NFL Network, MLB Networks, NBA TV channels....the list goes on and on.

People seem pretty comfortable with only 2 primary streaming channels (Netflix and Hulu) Imagine adding 10-15 more separate streaming services to your monthly expenses that you have to keep track of? Where do you draw the line? And will it be live channels or will it be on demand type?

For HBO, I could see holding off until some good stuff builds up, binging the series in a month, canceling and waiting for more to accumulate.

That's kinda what I do now...

Showtime Anytime has a live feed though as of now HBO Go does not.

I'm gonna guess the price will be $12.99 .

Don't those kind of make you sign in through a cable provider? kinda like what HBO Go does

Only since The Sopranos era in the late 90s. Earlier stuff like The Larry Sanders Show, From The Earth To The Moon or (shudder) Arli$$ are not.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/hbo-t...ice-1413385733

According to the Wall Street Minimum cost will be $15 per month.

I think Starz and Showtime might do what HBO is going to do in the next few years. But I think it will be a long time before ESPN or other basic cable networks do something like that.

Can't rad the article without subscribing, but if it's $15/mo I'd rather keep my cable version. That would make the cable and satellite providers happy.

BTW : What does the term "Over The Top" mean in this context? I assume it's like Stand-Alone, but I've never heard the term in this sort of context before (only as in excessive or in a Stallone arm-wrestling movie)

Thanks for that. Still seems like an odd term for what it describes. Over the top of what?

I think the phrase means they're bypassing something or going "over the top".

Streaming services are going over the top of a Cable company's TV service. Instead they're transmitting the content using the Cable company's internet service. Cable companies no longer have control, they're merely delivering the data packets.

Does ( or will )HBO have streaming rights too all of their programs or must some be only shown on over-the air? Some of Hulu Plus programs can only be shown on the internet.

What will happen to HBO programming that is currently being shown on HuluPlus or Netflix?

Pretty interesting, bold move by HBO. Cable appears to be a sinking ship with so many cutting the cord. With content providers bailing it'll be interesting how cable fights back. (probably $100 month internet fees, low bandwidth & overages)

HBO is a good first step but the big daddy jumping ship (ESPN) would be a real sign of times changing.

:sad trombone:

I can't seeing this rival Netflix at almost double the cost.