HBO Launching Stand-Alone Streaming Service in 2015

[Sawyer]

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/10/15/hbo-online-streaming-service/

HBO to finally offer stand-alone streaming service
By James Hibberd

HBO is finally cutting the cord: The premium cable network announced Wednesday it plans to offer an online-only streaming service starting next year.

The big move puts HBO on track to more directly compete with Netflix and will give viewers a method of accessing all current HBO programming without a cable subscription.

HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler made the announcement while addressing an investor meeting for parent company Time Warner. The executive first presented HBO’s domestic returns, then noted there are 10 million broadband-only homes—a number that’s expected to increase.

“That is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped,” Plepler said. “It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO. So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them.”

Plepler ran down three potential distribution models for the streaming service. The first is to sell the online-only service through HBO’s existing cable providers. (For example, if you have broadband service through Time Warner or Comcast and want the network’s streaming service, you would be able to purchase the online service without having any cable channels.) The second is to distribute the service via new partners like Amazon, Google or Microsoft. The third method would be to attempt the Netflix model, whereby HBO markets its streaming service direct to consumers and skips the middlemen.

Cord-cutting HBO fans have increasingly clamored for the service to be made available without a traditional cable subscription. The network’s most popular program in its history, Game of Thrones, has been ranked the most pirated TV show in the world, and one common refrain among illegal downloaders is that there is no way to legally obtain the series in a timely manner without opting into an expensive cable TV package.

HBO launched a streaming app called HBO Go in 2010 to view its current programs, but it’s only available to subscribers of its traditional cable service. The network took another step into the streaming world earlier this year by licensing a large portion of its library to Amazon Prime.

This pleases me.

 

[Pickleweasel]

That is absolutely nuts that this made Netflix's stock drop almost $100 a share, basically a quarter of its value

 

[TheNextNolan22]

Bold move Time Warner/HBO.

 

[SlamAdams]

This would be great. I bought a Roku to use HBO Go on my tv only to find out my cable provider doesn't allow it. I'm guessing this would work.

 

[SlamAdams]

That is absolutely nuts that this made Netflix's stock drop almost $100 a share, basically a quarter of its value

Well, it also followed the news from Netflix that it added fewer subscribers this period than they projected, which is unfortunate, but they must have a pretty strong repeat customer base. I turned it on a few years ago and never stopped paying.

 

[the dmg]

HBO Go is great and doing a stand alone app for non-cable providers is a great idea. Now all they have to do is fix Max Go.

 

[Sawyer]

Been reading that this might be available in time for GOT's new season.

 

[runawayboulder]

Is there any info on how this is supposed to work? Is it a web streaming service, PS4 service or solely iPad? Also any rumors on a potential cost? I'd love to drop it from my cable service if it's worth it financially.

 

[Destructus86]

So I can finally watch Game of Thrones!
Because I was never going to subscribe to cable JUST for one show.

 

[SlamAdams]

Is there any info on how this is supposed to work? Is it a web streaming service, PS4 service or solely iPad? Also any rumors on a potential cost? I'd love to drop it from my cable service if it's worth it financially.

HBO Go currently streams on the web and a few other devices depending on your cable provider (mine for instance just decided to allow HBO Go on Roku). Normally, they would require you to sign in through your cable provider to confirm you are a subscriber. I'm sure this will just skip that step.

 

[MadVillainy]

Really good move by HBO.

Im predicting this comes out March. As Sawyer said, there are talks of it releasing before GoT. They'd be silly not to release it before then.

Does anyone know if this include Cinemax Go or whatever it's called

 

[Mister J]

Whenever they get a price tag on this thing, I'm officially interested.

'Cause then, I can stop pirating all the stuff I watch on the network.

 

[runawayboulder]

I'm also banking on my cable company throwing all sorts of goodies at me when I try to cancel.

 

[cheungcheung]

What if you already have cable? Assume they'll make the addition of hbo to your cable package cheaper than someone wanting hbo streaming only without cable?