HBO will stream its shows to cord cutters for the first time ever on Amazon Instant Video

[satam55]

HBO will stream its shows to cord cutters for the first time on Amazon Instant Video
By Chris Welchon April 23, 2014 09:16 am

Amazon and HBO have signed an extensive, multi-year agreement that will bring many of the premium channel's greatest shows including The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and The Wire to Amazon Prime Instant Video. The deal also includes "early" seasons of Boardwalk Empire and True Blood. Newer shows like Girls, The Newsroom and Veep will eventually be made available to Prime subscribers, but not until three years after they've first aired on HBO. And other hits like Game of Thrones aren't even mentioned as part of the deal, so HBO may be holding at least some popular content away from Amazon's on-demand streaming.

The first wave of HBO content is due to arrive on May 21st. In addition to regular shows, Prime subscribers will also gain access to miniseries classics like Band of Brothers, select original movies including Game Change, HBO documentaries, and comedy specials from the likes of Louis CK, Ellen DeGeneres, and Lewis Black.

The new pact represents a significant shift for HBO, which has until now stuck close to cable companies and resisted streaming services like Netflix. It's a major win for Amazon any way you see it in the cutthroat atmosphere around licensing deals and exclusives. Financial terms aren't being disclosed, but Amazon likely paid a big price for HBO's famous catalog. Still, since Prime is a bit more expensive now, the company can afford to make investments like this one in hopes of keeping customers locked in for years to come.

Alongside the deal, Amazon and HBO have also announced that HBO Go is coming to the newly released Fire TV set-top box. Unfortunately, you'll be waiting some time for that. The companies are aiming to launch HBO Go by the end of 2014.

Update: The article has been updated to include additional content that's part of the deal between HBO and Amazon.


HBO will stream its shows to cord cutters for the first time on Amazon Instant Video | The Verge

 

[Hersh]

y doesn't hbo.. just offer a stream only service.. id pay 10 bucks a month sure alot of people would

 

[Kill Dat Noize]

y doesn't hbo.. just offer a stream only service.. id pay 10 bucks a month sure alot of people would

Because the cable companies that carry HBO would be calling for their heads. .

But hopefully something like that is in the works in the near future once contracts expire.

 

[Hersh]

figured that much.. cable companies shaking in there boots

 

[Dirty Mcdrawz]

prime though

 

[satam55]

prime though

What's wrong with that? Amazon is more aggressive in getting shows on their service than Netflix is.

 

[Dirty Mcdrawz]

What's wrong with that? Amazon is more aggressive in getting shows on their service than Netflix is.

Nothing I just don't like amazon prime. They do get a lot of shows that betflix or Hulu don't get

 

[HookersandIceCream]

3 different services offering different streaming options and just like that were back to paying $30+ for tv

 

[AquaCityBoy]

Three years later though?

 

[Kill Dat Noize]

3 different services offering different streaming options and just like that were back to paying $30+ for tv

That's just the beginning. Wait until streaming becomes the norm.

The fees will start to hike like everything else.

10-15 years from now watch you'll have to register your smart TV with your wi fi provider and you'll have a "TV bill" in excess of 100 bucks.

 

[mannyrs13]

I guess the recent price increases was for this. Cable companies ain't letting any network go on their own. Hopefully Amazon doesn't have another price increase on some hbo bs.

 

[FlyRy]

hbogo>

 

[GoldenGlove]

That's just the beginning. Wait until streaming becomes the norm.

The fees will start to hike like everything else.

10-15 years from now watch you'll have to register your smart TV with your wi fi provider and you'll have a "TV bill" in excess of 100 bucks.

 

[GoldenGlove]

Amazon trying to strong arm the streaming game. What if down the road they get at HBO on some, "come fukk with us, fukk those cable companies" type shyt and acquire all of their content for Prime?

Netflix would be

 

[NatiboyB]

Hold up so this means you don't even need to have hbo