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HBO has officially named its standalone, over-the-top streaming product as HBO Now, and it will be launched in April for $14.99 per month.
Initially only available on Apple devices for the first 3 months, HBO Now is set to compete with the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu Plus, but with an even stronger focus on original programming.
The $14.99 price point puts it above the likes of Netflix and others, and these other networks will most likely have a broader range of programming from various studios (including HBO shows, some of which are available on Amazon's Prime Instant Streaming). But HBO's exclusive big budget hits, such as the extremely popular 'Game of Thrones', may still entice many to subscribe, particularly those that are already paying more for access to HBO programming via cable subscriptions.
A recent survey suggests that 50% of those willing to sign up to HBO Now will cancel their cable subscriptions as a result.
As for HBO Now's international plans, HBO did not confirm whether the standalone streaming product would be coming to other countries.
Meanwhile, HBO's tethered streaming product (one that's only available with an existing cable subscription), HBO Go, will not be available on the PS4 for Comcast customers.
While the HBO Go app was recently made available on the PS4, Comcast subscribers will not be able to download and use the app on their PS4s due to "business decisions", according to a forum post by a Comcast representative. The aforementioned business decision could involve the lack of a deal between Comcast and Sony for the Time-Warner owned app to be made available. Comcast says that while PS4 owners are out of luck for now, Comcast subscribers can still access HBO programming via Comcast's Xfinity product, and many other devices.
Initially only available on Apple devices for the first 3 months, HBO Now is set to compete with the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu Plus, but with an even stronger focus on original programming.
The $14.99 price point puts it above the likes of Netflix and others, and these other networks will most likely have a broader range of programming from various studios (including HBO shows, some of which are available on Amazon's Prime Instant Streaming). But HBO's exclusive big budget hits, such as the extremely popular 'Game of Thrones', may still entice many to subscribe, particularly those that are already paying more for access to HBO programming via cable subscriptions.
A recent survey suggests that 50% of those willing to sign up to HBO Now will cancel their cable subscriptions as a result.
As for HBO Now's international plans, HBO did not confirm whether the standalone streaming product would be coming to other countries.
Meanwhile, HBO's tethered streaming product (one that's only available with an existing cable subscription), HBO Go, will not be available on the PS4 for Comcast customers.
While the HBO Go app was recently made available on the PS4, Comcast subscribers will not be able to download and use the app on their PS4s due to "business decisions", according to a forum post by a Comcast representative. The aforementioned business decision could involve the lack of a deal between Comcast and Sony for the Time-Warner owned app to be made available. Comcast says that while PS4 owners are out of luck for now, Comcast subscribers can still access HBO programming via Comcast's Xfinity product, and many other devices.