HBO Wants Apple TV as Launch Partner for the Upcoming "HBO Now" Streaming Service
According to a new report this afternoon, HBO is in talks with Apple to make Apple TV one of the launch partners for its highly anticipated streaming service when it debuts next month. HBO and streaming partner Major League Baseball Advanced Media are working to have the standalone service, called "HBO Now," ready to launch in April in conjunction with the premiere of the fifth season of "Game of Thrones," according to sources familiar with their plans.
When it launches, consumers will be able to subscribe to "HBO Now" directly from HBO for the first time, rather than through a cable, satellite or telco TV distributor such as Comcast or Verizon. The retail price is expected to be $15 a month when purchased directly from HBO.
At $15 a month, HBO Now will be close to double what Netflix charges, but cheaper than what some were predicting. HBO makes the case that it has more original programming than Netflix and a better, more current film library. "It's a premium product and it will be priced accordingly," HBO CEO Richard Plepler said during a Time Warner earnings call in February.
Apple has been most aggressive in courting HBO in a bid to add the service to Apple TV, sources say. Apple TV already carries HBO Go for current HBO subscribers, but it may add a second app for HBO Now. For more on this check out International Business Times full report.
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