When it comes to films and original content, HBO is a trailblazer among today’s premium cable channels. With several illustrious series such as The Wire, Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, HBO looks to capitalize on their extensive catalog as well as the the public’s love of online streaming with their own stream service.
This stand-alone service will provide users with access to HBO’s programming without the commitment of a pricey cable bundle subscription. “It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO,” chairman and CEO Richard Pleper explained in a conference on Wednesday. “So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States … 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.”
HBO’s broadband service will be in direct competition with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Instant Video, the latter of which currently provides online streaming of several HBO programs. However, considering they could be charging users up to $15, according to Martin Peers at The Information, which is up from Netflix And Hulu Plus’ $7.99 and Amazon Prime’s $8.25 (when their $99 annual fee is divided), they might lose this war before they enter it.
Additionally, HBO already provides a similar service, “HBO GO”, a video streaming service which comes complimentary with an HBO subscription. As of now it’s unknown whether their forthcoming service will replace HBO GO, or will be another service entirely.
Check back with The Source as more information becomes available.
You can find Khari Clarke at a bar in Midtown Manhattan and on Twitter (@KINGCLARKEIII).
