It’s something that’s often discussed, occasionally teased, and most definitely wished for by fellow netizens, and now it seems as if it may just happen. Reports state that HBO is considering teaming with broadband Internet providers to offer a version of its HBO Go online streaming service to those who aren’t currently subscribers to the parent cable channel.
This time, the tease comes from HBO Chief Executive Richard Plepler, who spoke during an appearance at the Wednesday evening premiere for the third season of the channel’s hit show Game of Thrones. He told Reuters about the current incarnation of the streaming service, which makes HBO shows available to mobile devices and computers as long as users can provide proof that they are HBO subscribers. “Right now, we have the right model [but] we would have to make the math work,” Plepler said.
HBO’s historical concern is that offering an online subscription model that doesn’t require any form of cable subscription would undercut its cable subscription business, especially considering the online streaming subscription would likely cost less than cable subscription if HBO wanted to stay competitive with similar offerings. Additionally, with more Internet-enabled televisions and Apple TV-esque devices, those who want good quality shows on at home or on the go will easily be able to do that with online-only subscriptions.
Reuters posits a potential scenario in which HBO Go will be offered in a bundle, but instead of being part of a package with cable channels, it would be part of an Internet package. For example, a $50 monthly broadband Internet package could include an option to pay an additional $10 or $15 per month for access to HBO Go, just like cable subscribers pay extra fees to have premium channels.
Cable outlets like HBO have an arguably more difficult time adapting to a streaming media world, having been reluctant to offer content streaming services like Netflix in fear of devaluing its own content. Unlike “regular” television, HBO relies entirely on subscription and DVD/Blu-ray sales to pay for its content, having eschewed advertising as part of its basic business model. But for that, we also get hit original series like Boardwalk Empire, Entourage, Veep, Game of Thrones, and Girls.
Still, this method proven to have some obvious drawbacks – Not least of which has been a lack of legal (and, as far as HBO is concerned, profitable) online access to HBO programming for fans. The barred entry cuts down the potential for new fans, and restricts the growth of the company. Perhaps the new online model could be the solution HBO needs.
I would use HBO Go and pay per show to watch. I usually only sign up for an HBO subscription when Game of Thrones comes on, and then when the season ends, I cancel the subscription.
You can do this with iTunes, the show is available a couple of days after it airs on HBO. It’s available in full HD and you can pay per episode or for a full season pass.
Good to know. Does the new Apple TV stream playback in 1080P yet?
Haven’t watched it through Apple TV myself, but the recent upgrade is that the platform supports 1080p in general. They’ve certainly got me re-thinking my digital sources, but I think I still prefer to hook up the laptop via a HDMI cable. You never know when something might just not work and you have to go back to what I suppose is now considered the old-fashioned way of watching streamed content.
I hear ya.
I just checked iTunes and it doesn’t look like Season 3 is up there yet. Season 2 runs $3.99 per episode. At that price I might as well subscribe to HBO at $15/mo to see current episodes. Granted I won’t be able to “own” them like on iTunes, but at least they would be on my DVR and in HD.
Huh … maybe it’s a regional thing. I can see all episodes here in Australia, I’m massively surprised that it’s not the case globally. How strange. Global stuff like this always make me curious as to what is going on, why they don’t just release it for sale. Who’s got the exclusive rights?
Looks like it’s not hitting the U.S. yet: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4953997?start=0&tstart=0
There are a lot a of people asking when it will show up in iTunes.
Looks like they are trying to curb show pirating. Make the HBO go $5 a month and we might have a deal. With Netflix and Amazon Prime, why would we pay the full amount for cable HBO? I am watching it on demand, and not over the TV where it’s always broadcasting to me. This price point makes zero sense to me.
Agreed. I would just pay a couple bucks per episode to watch. No need for a monthly subscription for me.
I think that’s what you’re saying right? :)
Well, I was more so comparing it to other streaming services out there. Netflix and Amazon. Netflix you pay $8 a month for all the streaming you want. Here, we are assuming we will be paying nearly double that for HBO Go to stream their limited content. We pay, I think it’s around $18 a month for HBO on directv as it is… That’s with 24 hour broadcasting. With HBO Go, we pick and choose what we want to watch. If we only watch 2 shows per month, why would we pay $18 for that when we have other alternatives?
A pay to watch ($.99 per episode) might be a good idea as well.
Yeah but you have to keep in mind, Netflix streams second-rate shows and older seasons where HBO GO will be streaming premium content which HBO owns.
Hulu Plus is kind of in between in that they stream their own original, but also first and second rate shows depending on the partner.
True, but you still can’t deny that 18 for a streaming service is too much. I get why we pay that much for broadcast HBO. But streaming? I’m not paying to watch everything they have, like I would with broadcast HBO… So why would I still be expect to pay at that price point?
I totally agree. $18 is ridiculous.