HBO Putting Shows Online, at No Additional Charge

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HBO, cable’s most popular premium channel, is carefully entering the arena of Internet video. The channel, a subsidiary of Time Warner, will introduce HBO on Broadband starting this week to subscribers in Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis., then spread the service slowly to other parts of the country. The free service will allow access to about 400 hours of movies and original programming each month. It will be made available only to people already subscribing to HBO, and it will be marketed and delivered through cable operators. “There are a lot of people, particularly young people, who are watching TV through the PC. We wanted to create a product for them,” said Eric Kessler, a co-president of HBO.

Most major television networks already make much of their programming available free on the Internet. But as a channel with 29 million subscribers, HBO cannot afford to bypass its cable partners. While most networks have embraced browser-based streaming video, HBO’s programming is to be watched in a separate computer application that downloads shows to the hard drive. It may face several hurdles: the program is available only on Windows PCs initially; the downloaded content cannot yet be transferred to portable devices; and the content expires four weeks after being downloaded. The application has some innovative features. It allows users to set up accounts for each family member, and the attached parental controls can block violent or explicit content. It also lets users watch the live televised version of HBO, a feature that may appeal to subscribers who are away from home.

View: Full Story @ New York Times

#1 PinkShirtGuy on 21 Jan 2008 - 08:41

Thats nice, screw all the people that don't subscribe simply because they don't want to join 6 tiers, pay for 2-3 different boxes, and get a bill for $300 a month for a handful of channels they do actually watch. I honestly have wanted to buy an HBO subscription straight up on the net similar to Vongo but they still haven't come around. Oh well, maybe in another 2 or 3 years.

(2 replies) #2 bibutteryboy on 21 Jan 2008 - 12:06

what are you babbling about?
I get HBO, Cinimax, Showtime, HD Channels, have a DVR and pay $60.00 a month.
You obviously have no clue.

#2.1 PinkShirtGuy on 21 Jan 2008 - 12:27

Thats cool that you get that price, for the exact same 'package' you said I have to pay about 150 with taxes and hardware rental fees, ends up costing over 200 with internet. My point was that I would rather just pay HBO.com, or wherever its hosted, $10-15 a month instead of paying $10 for HBO channels, $5 for the receiver, $8 for the HD tier, $15 for the DVR... etc. Similar to Vongo's service, as I said.

But you are right, I have no clue about my own opinion.....

#2.2 NightmarE D on 21 Jan 2008 - 21:20

(PinkShirtGuy said @ #2.1)

You have any other sevices in your area? Because it sounds like they're ripping their customers off big time.

(2 replies) #3 bibutteryboy on 21 Jan 2008 - 12:38

I fail to understand what kind of package you are getting that cost over $200.00 a month?

#3.1 PinkShirtGuy on 21 Jan 2008 - 13:17

There's nothing to understand, I simply want to pay for only the channels I want, and doing so online seems like the best route since the cable and satellite companies don't let you pick and choose single channels. The cost of services (in different regions) is irrelevant. Regardless of the price, you still are required to pay for the premium tier, and the digital receiver, on top of your monthly bill. This service is only available to current subscribers of HBO, so those not on those tiers and packages are screwed.

Understand it or not, I'm done with the topic.

#3.2 Munkyman on 21 Jan 2008 - 15:48

Someone got their knickers in a twist. It's a service, you pay for the service you get service. Seems pretty simple to me.

(1 reply) #4 rural on 21 Jan 2008 - 16:05

If they were smart, they'd offer it free and maybe pick up some new subscibers.

#4.1 AWBrian on 22 Jan 2008 - 01:49

(rural said @ #4)

Yeah, ok...sure. That makes zero sense. HBO is a premium channel, and only make money on subscriptions. What next, GM has to start giving away cars to maybe pick up some new buyers?!

Jesus. Now I have heard it all.

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