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HBO To Start Selling On The Web Next Year
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Low Roller
[H]ard|Gawd
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This sounds great, but I'll reserve judgement until they reveal pricing.
TheOrangeJuicer
Gawd
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Good news, but at what price are they selling it? I just feel like they are going to go full retard and require a contract and/or charge us ~$15 a month. I hope I'm wrong.
$15 isn't bad if we get every single movie in HBO's library.
How many movies do they have? They only play 3 movies at a time over and over and over again. /s
Most people are interested in HBO's original shows and back catalog... I would guess Movies may cycle in/out as HBO's contract change monthly.
Though it is possible the Movies could be what the standard cable providers have to be "special" HBO customers...
As I have said before this is still a great sign that curd cutters and streamers are having a major effect on the industry.
Personally I would call it a win if I could get commercial-less on-demand access to most content for about the same cost as cable/sat now.
MrCaffeineX
[H]ard|Gawd
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Mmmm, cheeeeese...
I would be willing to do it to watch some of their series, but only if I can do so without a long-term commitment. Basically, subscribe for a month, binge-watch the last season of what I want, then back to Netflix/Amazon Prime. Pricing will also be a concern.
I can see them trying to do a long-term/contract commitment to avoid people like me doing so, but we'll have to see how it plays out. Maybe they will stagger the release to streaming to prevent spikes in subscription/cancellation.
kbrickley
Supreme [H]ardness
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I doubt they will charge less than the cable subscriptions cost ... $10-15 month (maybe with a slight discount for an annual subscription) is a bargain ... the value of HBO is not their movies as much as their original programming (which is generally more valuable than regular network programming) ... if they allow access to their catalog of older shows then I would expect the subscription to be fairly popular (as long as it stays under $20/month)
While I like the idea and them moving out from under the cable subscription model some, this a la carte thing could get out of hand. If we have all stations move out to charge $15 (like some of you are suggesting) that could end up being as, or more, expensive than cable. I think it would be better for them consolidate with content providers like Netflix
mastaBlasta
Gawd
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Long overdue!
HBO is owned by Time Warner which will be merging with Comcast which means Comcast will own HBO. I'm not sure what that will do for this whole thing. I'm sure Comcast will find some pound me in the ass way of making the whole thing an unusable ripoff.
HBO is owned by Time Warner which will be merging with Comcast which means Comcast will own HBO. I'm not sure what that will do for this whole thing. I'm sure Comcast will find some pound me in the ass way of making the whole thing an unusable ripoff.
forget the movies...it's mostly about Game of Thrones!...and True Detective
DarkStar_WNY
2[H]4U
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A positive step, although I will have to see the details before I get to excited.
Why do so many people expect it to cost less then it would be to add HBO to your cable service? Especially if it including streaming of HBOs back catalog?
Why do so many people expect it to cost less then it would be to add HBO to your cable service? Especially if it including streaming of HBOs back catalog?
DarkStar_WNY
2[H]4U
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Finally someone else who realizes that al la carte pricing wont drive prices down, and in fact will actually probably result in paying more for far fewer channels.
D
Deleted member 109755
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And the cable companies cry a little...
I agree completely. I wish they'd just team up with Netflix, because if you think about it, HBO doesn't have that much exclusive content. They'll be like a Netflix/amazon lite with a bunch of overlapping content (Redbox/blockbuster/target streaming service anyone?). The last thing we need is streaming to turn into $10 per channel, and I guarantee you that's what the greedy bastards at the networks are planning.
Yup... somehow people think they can "comment" prices down.. WHILE continuing to pay for service.
People have been paying for commercial ridden, repeating schedule cable for years... It will take a lot of customer loss for companies to adjust to a less profitable model.
That is what happened in the music industry and even then we got songs for $1, which is about the same price of a CD if not higher.
My estimate of $20 is probably the lowest they will charge... since Dish charges $19 for HBO.
The only thing I can say is at least a la carte you have more choice in selecting more appealing content. Though companies will try their hardest to make you buy everything like they do with channels now a days (each channel seems to only have 1-2 good shows).
lilbabycat
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Why do people think cable companies are crying?
They've already prepared for this by merging together and grabbing the smaller content providers by the balls.
We'll see the death of cable TV, sure. But if you think you'll be paying less for more content, and less commercials, you're out of your mind.
They've already prepared for this by merging together and grabbing the smaller content providers by the balls.
We'll see the death of cable TV, sure. But if you think you'll be paying less for more content, and less commercials, you're out of your mind.
HBO has TONS of exclusive content...current shows and catalog classics like Deadwood, Rome, The Wire, Sopranos etc etc...or how about their mini-series like Band of Brothers, The Pacific etc...HBO is by far the best channel on television (network, premium etc)
Amen brother!
Ur_Mom
Fully [H]
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Depends on what you are wanting, though. If you can pay $75-80 bucks for a full package, go for it. But, if you're wanting HBO and another one or two channels for $30-40 - it's a decent savings. If you get close to the $75 mark, just go for the full package. Ala carte is rarely cheaper. The sum of the parts is more than the whole thing. It may not be the best solution for someone that watches a lot of TV. For others that watch 2 channels and a movie here or there, HBO and Hulu Plus may be all they need. That's where I fall. I have Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime (and OTA). I'm fine for most things. The things I don't get, I really don't miss. Prime I'd have anyway due to free shipping.
It's all about shopping smart. Ala carte isn't for everyone. It's for me. It's for others that watch little TV and can't justify the $75 package.
Those shows are all old content. All of them are already available through amazon prime.
Saturn_V
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I'll believe it when I see it. They *should* charge closer to $12 to compete directly with Netflix. But I can't see them charging less than $20/month. GoT and Last Week Tonight are the only HBO offerings I'm interested in. And Amazon Prime already gives me access to a lot of curated HBO content.
steakman1971
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About time. I have not had cable for over 4 years. I do not want cable. However, there are shows on HBO that I like to watch and had to use "alternate" methods to do so.
I'd probably pay $15 a month. We like Game of Thrones and would be happy to watch it legally
Who knows - they might go to a per-episode cost. I hope they go with a pay $XX/all-you-can-watch plan instead or pay per episode. That could be expensive.
I'd probably pay $15 a month. We like Game of Thrones and would be happy to watch it legally
Who knows - they might go to a per-episode cost. I hope they go with a pay $XX/all-you-can-watch plan instead or pay per episode. That could be expensive.
+1 no one in their right mind would take LESS money for the same project unless they absolutely have to.
HBO still has tons of fantastic programming now from Game of Thrones, True Detective, Veep, Boardwalk Empire, True Blood etc...point being there will always be some amazing program that only HBO has
Nicklebon
Gawd
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HBO is owed by Time Warner. Comcast is buying Time Warner Cable. Time Cable != Time Warner. Comcast will not own HBO.
I second that, and The Leftovers and Real Sports.
I end up watching HBOGo a lot, they have very good original programming.
Ahh but I need so little. HBO's Original content, Access to everything put out under the SciFi channel, and I might go for a stretch and throw in F/X for awhile.
The thing to remember is that if it is all on demand and I have large ppol to choose from then even if it costs just as much as a regular cable subscription then so what? It's still much better and hopefully cuts out all the commercials. As soon as they start the whole commercial break thing it's done and I'll cancel. That's what drove me to cut the cord to begin with.
As someone with HBO and HBO Go, HBO Go has a ton of original content. Not just the drama/comedy type shows, but news shows, comedy specials, sports shows. They also have a healthy collection of original adult content. And they keep their entire catalog of shows available. The movies they have available are the movies currently airing on the network. I haven't stopped to count them, but there has to be somewhere around 50 to 100 movies available. Maybe more. They keep their catalog of original movies as well. Its a very nice service. I would compare it to Netflix.
kbrickley
Supreme [H]ardness
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Ala carte will almost certainly be more expensive for the same content ... HOWEVER, for folks that claim to only want a small selection of certain channels it might be cheaper ... remember too that most channels don't have the market power of HBO so they will bundle channels (there are six corporations that own the vast majority of channels so they have a lot of bundling ability)
Some common packages you can likely expect (pricing is anyone's guess)
- HBO and Cinemax standalone package (including all the flavors of channels and some form of access to their catalog of archived original programming)
- HBO/Cinemax combo pack
- TMC and Showtime standalone
- TMC/Showtime combo
- various combo of the other competing movie channels (depending on which companies own the channels ... competing companies are unlikely to bundle together like cable does now)
- Independent/Network channel packages possibly (Fox, NBC, CW, etc) ... although they may decide to stick with their website offerings instead and relationships with Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix
- Discovery package (with discovery, history, etc) since they are all owned by one company
Except for the small niche channels that remain totally independent, all the big channels have corporate owners so you can expect those corporations to offer bundles containing all the channels they wish to continue supporting
The biggest thing for me will be how this service is delivered. If its a channel available on Roku, or will content be available through Amazon (perhaps they will expand their deal with Amazon?) or if it will only be available through a browser? If theres no app for my TV or Wii U or Roku then I wont be buying it.
pgwalsh
Gawd
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Amazon Prime is getting worse in my opinion. We checked the first 3 seasons of Boardwalk Empire and they showed as free for prime users. After we watched the first season it changed to $2.99 an episode for seasons 2 and 3. This happens too much and with the prime price increasing, I'll pass on prime.
DejaWiz
Fully [H]
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Hopefully a precursor to actual a la carte channel streaming. Breaking up the monopolizing stroke-fest between cable companies and networks is long overdue.
I would happily subscribe to the Discovery, ESPN, Big 10 Network, and some other science, education, and sports channels if they were no more than $5 per month each. The networks make enough money from advertising revenue by blasting commercials every 6-8 minutes during everything broadcasted.
I would happily subscribe to the Discovery, ESPN, Big 10 Network, and some other science, education, and sports channels if they were no more than $5 per month each. The networks make enough money from advertising revenue by blasting commercials every 6-8 minutes during everything broadcasted.
I agree, I've been pretty annoyed with Prime lately as well. Another thing I've noticed is more and more movies that are only available for purchase but not rent. Also, movies that were once prime suddenly only being available for purchase. What makes me think if I purchase it I will own it forever when stuff changes so much? I'd probably buy more movies if I knew they wouldnt leave my library, but they change stuff so much it makes me stay away from buying anything.
Xrave
Supreme [H]ardness
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Considering Comcast charges $19.99/mo for HBO, with no special deals, HBO probably won't be charging less.
However if HBO is going to try and make a statement about how much margin the providers charge...then maybe they will go less than the cable/dish companies? Doubtful considering the parent company...
However if HBO is going to try and make a statement about how much margin the providers charge...then maybe they will go less than the cable/dish companies? Doubtful considering the parent company...
Netflix: $8/month
HBO: $20/month
Hulu: $8/month (if Plus)
Internet: 40-50/month
76-86/month total. Then if you add something else, WWE/NHL/MLB, it's another 8 month.
My total cable plus internet bill with HBO/Showtime/Cinemax is 94/month "promo" pricing for a year. After the year, my price get's jacked up to 120. I disconnet for 30 days, use netflix/hulu/OTA and then come back on for 94/month again.
A la carte won't be cheaper...you'll just be paying to a premium to watch ONLY what you want. Hell, I'd rather pay 20 more a month and have some other stuff like Discovery, NatGeo, Science, etc.
We're screwed either way
HBO: $20/month
Hulu: $8/month (if Plus)
Internet: 40-50/month
76-86/month total. Then if you add something else, WWE/NHL/MLB, it's another 8 month.
My total cable plus internet bill with HBO/Showtime/Cinemax is 94/month "promo" pricing for a year. After the year, my price get's jacked up to 120. I disconnet for 30 days, use netflix/hulu/OTA and then come back on for 94/month again.
A la carte won't be cheaper...you'll just be paying to a premium to watch ONLY what you want. Hell, I'd rather pay 20 more a month and have some other stuff like Discovery, NatGeo, Science, etc.
We're screwed either way
Oh, forgot ESPN. that's the one that will getcha
Netflix: $8/month
HBO: $20/month
Hulu: $8/month (if Plus)
Internet: 40-50/month
76-86/month total. Then if you add something else, WWE/NHL/MLB, it's another 8 month.
My total cable plus internet bill with HBO/Showtime/Cinemax is 94/month "promo" pricing for a year. After the year, my price get's jacked up to 120. I disconnet for 30 days, use netflix/hulu/OTA and then come back on for 94/month again.
A la carte won't be cheaper...you'll just be paying to a premium to watch ONLY what you want. Hell, I'd rather pay 20 more a month and have some other stuff like Discovery, NatGeo, Science, etc.
We're screwed either way
Ur_Mom
Fully [H]
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Yea, if your internet is part of your TV package, you might skip over this stuff. For me, I have DSL (no cable exists and I'm not going satellite internet!). Internet is essential for me, and I don't see it as a cost for media. It's required for work, personal, and media. So, I just have Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO - $36 a month. Not bad for what I get. I am very happy with my Netflix, Hulu Plus combo right now.
Netflix: $8/month
HBO: $20/month
Hulu: $8/month (if Plus)
Internet: 40-50/month
76-86/month total. Then if you add something else, WWE/NHL/MLB, it's another 8 month.
My total cable plus internet bill with HBO/Showtime/Cinemax is 94/month "promo" pricing for a year. After the year, my price get's jacked up to 120. I disconnet for 30 days, use netflix/hulu/OTA and then come back on for 94/month again.
A la carte won't be cheaper...you'll just be paying to a premium to watch ONLY what you want. Hell, I'd rather pay 20 more a month and have some other stuff like Discovery, NatGeo, Science, etc.
We're screwed either way