Comcast Blocking HBO Go App On PS4

HBO GO app authenticates to HBO servers over the INTERNET. Comcast is blocking that INTERNET request, according to title II, this is illegal and they will be sued and lose.

Pretty simple.
 
This is what you get when your communication provider has a media arm, a major conflict of interest. Can't have "dumb pipes" when the owner has a horse in the race.
 
Comcast has been particularly weird in the streaming content scenario. Only recently was HBO Go allowed for use on Chromecast if you were a Comcast subscriber. U-verse and other ISP's had no such restrictions, so clearly this was Comcast's doing. The only conjecture given around the internets was some sort of rivalry between comcast and services such as Roku. Comcast sort of see's supporting Roku/Chromecast as contributing towards their inevitable demise, so they block them out of principle. It's petty and trite, but not unreasonable given their behavior.

Funny thing is Comcast now does allow HBO Go users to authenticate on Chromecast and Roku too I believe. Plus doesnt Xbox have the app? Dont really know why it doesnt work with PS4 but it's obviously deliberate and probably entirely related to backroom shenanigans.
 
jpm100 said:
That's a nice apologist excuse for what is a failure for Title II to do what it was sold as doing.

I would expect, either way, the rules aren't in full or even partial effect yet.
Click to expand...

How the hell was his post apologist? Put down the crack pipe. Discussing is not condoning.
 
v6maro said:
HBO GO app authenticates to HBO servers over the INTERNET. Comcast is blocking that INTERNET request, according to title II, this is illegal and they will be sued and lose.

Pretty simple.
Click to expand...

Interfering with internet traffic and refusing authentication of a service are two totally different things. What comcast is doing is in no way violating Title II or any other regulation. Comcast has a contract with HBO that forbids them from offering streaming service as a comcast subscriber. You may wonder why HBO would ever agree to such a thing, and that is due to threats from Comcast that they would delist their network.
 
McFry said:
Interfering with internet traffic and refusing authentication of a service are two totally different things. What comcast is doing is in no way violating Title II or any other regulation. Comcast has a contract with HBO that forbids them from offering streaming service as a comcast subscriber. You may wonder why HBO would ever agree to such a thing, and that is due to threats from Comcast that they would delist their network.
Click to expand...

I bet HBO stands to make more from their streaming service seeing how cable cutting is becoming popular.

Not to mention how well their app works on mobile devices.
 
Trimlock said:
I don't know? I guess it depends on the versions you are running? I fail to see how any of this has to do with a Mobile app on a mobile platform.
Click to expand...

Windows 8.1 is Windows 8.1 whether it is on a tablet, desktop or laptop. You said:

Trimlock said:
One of the biggest advantages to HBOgo is their mobility.

HTPC isn't mobile...
Click to expand...

I was simply saying that is not the case. My Windows 8.1 tablet performs every function as my HTPC, because they run the same OS. The HTPC derail started because of someone complaining about "apps".
 
Babbster said:
Unfortunately, probably not. They're not actually treating the traffic differently (which is what net neutrality is about). They're refusing to authenticate the app in their system.

What could happen is that HBO Now gets released for a device which Comcast won't allow to use HBO Go on their system, and Comcast doesn't have any power to stop that because HBO Now won't require a cable subscription at all. In other words, Comcast is begging their customers to remove HBO from their monthly cable bill...genius.
Click to expand...

This is a contract issue, not a net neutrality one. HBO got itself into this mess in the first place by staying in bed with the ISPs and allowing them to dictate what logins they will allow. HBO should have NEVER tied HBO Go to your cable sub.
 
It's nice that Comcast continues to provide proof of the need for title II classification. Love it!
 
Babbster said:
Unfortunately, probably not. They're not actually treating the traffic differently (which is what net neutrality is about). They're refusing to authenticate the app in their system.

What could happen is that HBO Now gets released for a device which Comcast won't allow to use HBO Go on their system, and Comcast doesn't have any power to stop that because HBO Now won't require a cable subscription at all. In other words, Comcast is begging their customers to remove HBO from their monthly cable bill...genius.
Click to expand...

Talking shit like a Comcast anti-netnetrality lawyer. Believe it or not, blocking traffic is the same as treating it different. Unless Shittastic can prove that the traffic is malicious, they do not have a leg to stand on.
 
CRaschNet said:
Talking shit like a Comcast anti-netnetrality lawyer. Believe it or not, blocking traffic is the same as treating it different. Unless Shittastic can prove that the traffic is malicious, they do not have a leg to stand on.
Click to expand...
So much hostility from people who clearly don't know any better...tsk tsk.

Anyway, no it's really not. The traffic never happens because the user can't run the software without Comcast verifying that the user has an existing subscription to HBO. It's questionable whether or not Comcast has a duty to do so. They should do so, I don't think they have a good excuse not to, but unless you and yours can point me to a rule/law that requires them to do so, I doubt that "general" net neutrality covers it.

In short, why don't you prove what you're saying before making unfounded accusations about my state of mind...and learn how to spell/use a spellchecker.
 
canna said:
Then I'll just setup a vpn. A htpc can have a vpn, ps4, not so much.

A device you control > a device you don't.
Click to expand...

Very possible to run a VPN via one's router. I can on mine. Then all the traffic goes to the VPN, regardless of device.
 
i thought this was related to ComCast not providing PS3 and PS4 users the Code for HBO (they are not blocking it via the internet its the TV service that is not providing the code)
 
Babbster said:
So much hostility from people who clearly don't know any better...tsk tsk.

Anyway, no it's really not. The traffic never happens because the user can't run the software without Comcast verifying that the user has an existing subscription to HBO. It's questionable whether or not Comcast has a duty to do so. They should do so, I don't think they have a good excuse not to, but unless you and yours can point me to a rule/law that requires them to do so, I doubt that "general" net neutrality covers it.

In short, why don't you prove what you're saying before making unfounded accusations about my state of mind...and learn how to spell/use a spellchecker.
Click to expand...

Yet people will be able to subscribe to HBO GO with paying for Comcast's HBO service.
It doesn't require Comcast verification.
 
oIj6bSP.png
 
Gweenz said:
An HTPC is ridiculously cheap, or just take your current PC, 1 DVI/HDMI to monitor, 1 HDMI to TV/receiver. If you don't have a computer with more than 1 video out, I have no idea what you are doing on this site.
Click to expand...

Yeah well, when my wife and kid are monopolizing my main 70" tv and i cant use my HTPC or Xbox one to watch anything, my PS4 on my other TV is nice to have and be able to access the app with. Typical elitist broke PC only ppl.
 
canna said:
Whatever, apps are for suckers that like locked down devices. HTPC is the only way to go, I'll control what happens on MY device, TYVM.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, girlfriends are not impressed by a HTPC when all of a sudden updates or some other standard PC glitch gets in the way of them wanting to watch something.

The HTPC equivalent of "Oh..that's never happened before!!"

That's when you wished you had a FireTV.;)
 
CRaschNet said:
Yet people will be able to subscribe to HBO GO with paying for Comcast's HBO service.
It doesn't require Comcast verification.
Click to expand...

The stand alone service will not use the HBO GO name.

Ocean said:
and a link to click if you want:

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/DigitalCable/HBO.html
Click to expand...

And it says nothing about what platforms they support. This is the argument that Comcast made with Roku. They didn't want to pay training costs that was required for technicians and phone support to support the setup of HBO and Showtime on Roku devices. It's likely the same argument with PS3/4 devices. Sure Roku complained to the FCC, but ultimately money changed hands. How much? No one has discussed it, but both alluded to it.

People forget, Comcast has been under the Net Neutrality rules that the FCC wanted since they purchased NBC. If there was anything that was illegal about it, the FCC probably would have busted them for it already.
 
Ryokurin said:
And it says nothing about what platforms they support. This is the argument that Comcast made with Roku. They didn't want to pay training costs that was required for technicians and phone support to support the setup of HBO and Showtime on Roku devices. It's likely the same argument with PS3/4 devices.
Click to expand...

I call bullshit. The training costs are basically zero. I worked in a call center about a decade ago, want to know what training was for new products?:
  • Go to the intranet site.
  • Follow the on screen script with step by step pictures.
That's it. Trained in the time it takes to read an email that says: "Now we support XYS product, follow the steps at http://intranet.site.goes.here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top