Breaking HBO to launch Internet-only service next year

[brooklynite]

Source: Los Angeles Times

HBO announced today that it will break the cable TV bundle by offering its service directly to consumers over the Internet in the U.S. beginning next year.

HBO is currently available only to subscribers of pay-TV packages. But growing competition and changing consumer behavior has forced HBO's hand.

"It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO," CEO Richard Plepler said at an investor conference in New York. "In 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hbo-to-launch-internet-only-service-20141015-story.html

[BlueEye]

1. I expect this to coincide with a crack down on internet piracy of HBO shows.

Ye be warned.

[Veilex]

4. perhaps... but more competition in cable provision is a good thing

[wyldwolf]

8. already happening

Amazon has severely limited who can sell used HBO DVD sets.

[navarth]

2. that's gonna change some things.

one of the few reasons I keep comcast cable.

[Cha]

3. Sounds good for the likes of me.. who doesn't have a tv but likes to stream..

".. time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO".. depends on what they're offering.

[PasadenaTrudy]

5. Yay!

I don't have TV, so this is great news for streaming. Welcome to the 21st century, HBO.

[Kurska]

6. Finally n/t

[still_one]

7. excellent, it is time to disassociate themselves from cable and satellite who refuse to ala carte

their content, and charge consumer for 75% of garbage they never watch

I hope this becomes a trend with other content providers

[srican69]

10. you get an A for positive thinking

but expect your 'internet only' bill to start at $150 in the near future

you can run but you can't hide ... the cable companies will find a way to screw you regardless

[jtuck004]

9. So how much more will decent access to that cost? Still have to go over, in many cases, the

thieving cable providers.

Get rid of that monopoly and we could ALL have decent internet service cheaper.

[erpowers]

11. Great For People; Bad For Cable Companies

It seems to me that this is another blow for the cable companies. HBO offering an Internet-only service gives people one less reason to stay with cable companies. With smart TVs that connect to the Internet being sold, companies like Netflix and Hulu being available, and with cable channels putting out apps and putting their content on the Internet there are fewer reasons to keep paying for cable. It now seems the only reason to keep paying for cable is to keep the sports packages offered. Another reason to keep cable is to watch shows live, or as they are broadcast on cable.

[CANDO]

12. I've been on DSL

For the past three years and the web speed totally sucks. At times it seems slower than dial up. So streaming is not an option. Wishing I had cable for the truly high speed internet.

[NJCher]

14. this article says it's the beginning of the death of cable

It basically says what you say.

http://decider.com/2014/10/15/hbo-go-standalone-service/?_ga=1.32308666.583306534.1413478489


Cher

p.s. I would love to sit here and write about how much I hate Comcast and how much I hope you and this article are correct. I would, however, be here all day writing, fuming, and steaming.

My question is, though, is how this is going to happen when Comcast can make you pay up the nose for the internet service if you don't take their TV.

[erpowers]

15. Good Question

I do not know. It would be nice if the government would force the Internet and cable companies to compete against each other. Aside from that the federal government should give state and local governments the right to create their own internet services that could compete against the Internet and cable companies.

[valerief]

13. Cable is all crap I'm sooooooo not interested in.

Kiddie shows
God shows
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
More God shows
Real estate sale shows
Cooking shows
Dumbass rich people shows
More kiddie shows
Dumbass moron "country" reality shows
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Endless God shows
Endless kiddie shows