HBO to finally offer stand-alone streaming service

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


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.”
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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.

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I will probably buy it if cheap.maybe 10/month?
doubt they will make it that cheap....

Is this a bit closer to the end of TV?

 

Yeah I seen this before but you will get less variety than you would have it you subbed to netflix

Hbo stand alone is just going to be something that compliments your other streaming service

It's nice to see them TRY to move forward and stay relevant tho

 

Its the begining of the end of cable

 

Seriously for 7.99 a month you can watch whatever you want with no commercials

Compare that to expensive cable which has a bunch of channels that you will NEVER watch, that you sub to just so you can watch walking dead or movies on hbo

It's a shitty deal and people are realizing it

:shock:

Even if you add on the DVD by Mail service, you will still save money and can watch even more new movies

I have the DVD and streaming service and it's like 25 dollars a month or something, cuz I have the bluray option :smt050

Next day delivery is included with the DVD service, so when you order a movie early Monday, it'll be there tuesday

 

I pay $280 for cable and Internet because to get the NFL network I had to buy the highest cable option. Thousands of channels I couldn't care less about. I pay like $25 for Netflix also but then tack on another $9.99 a month for the wrestling option (for baby boy) and even "cheap netflix" starts adding up.

 

If the nfl network had a separate streaming service, u know I'd be all over that :freehug:

I'd also be willing to pay a separate sub for an espn package

Basically I want my shit to be tailored like individual song downloads vs paying full price for a crappy cd

Cable is a scam and they know it, which is why they're hanging on for dear life

Kudos to hbo for being legit

 

Absofrickinglutely

 

There was a company trying to do a cable type thibg where u choose what you want but the cable companies took him to court and they shot him down

So im glad netflix and hbo doing the do.

If a lot customers drop cable and satellite And go betflix or hulu....cable would change its prices

 

Not paying for cable at my house...I refuse...Netflix is less than 10 dollars a month and quite frankly too much TV takes away from more important things I have to do...when I becomes alacarte then I will sign up

 

U have a damn good point.

 

How you like netflicks

 

Sounds about right