HBO CEO Richard Plepler shared today that the premium satellite and cable network will begin offering a web-only package sometime in 2015 as it attempts to gain new paid subscribers. A web-only offering for HBO (and other popular networks) is something cable cutters have wanted for years although many argued that the economics of the cable industry wouldn’t make the option feasible for the networks.
Plepler, though, cited “the current ten million broadband-only homes” before announcing that HBO will launch “a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service” next year. Could a version of HBO unbundled from cable providers mean that Apple TV may also become less restrained by required cable subscriptions?
HBO already makes movies and TV shows available on the web and through apps for iPad and Apple TV, but HBO Go requires a paid subscription to the network which currently requires an active cable or satellite subscription.
In fact, most Apple TV channels including HBO, ESPN, Showtime and more require authenticating with an active cable subscription to unlock full content.
While Plepler’s announcement didn’t reveal exactly what content will be available through the web-only version of HBO or how much the subscription will cost, the announcement is a promising one nonetheless.
Plepler also described the future HBO offering as “over-the-top” which hopefully means the offering will include new content as it airs rather than holding it for the next day.
In his remarks, Plepler added that HBO will work with current partners and explore models with new partners to deliver the stand-alone version of HBO. This could mean that the network becomes an add-on to your existing Internet subscription.
Apple TV channels like Netflix and Hulu support monthly subscriptions directly within each channel, and a similar offering from HBO certainly push the product forward from being a second cable box with iTunes to a true cable box replacement.
An overhauled version of the Apple TV is already anticipated for release next year, but HBO could be at the beginning of a movement to unbundle networks from cable providers which could completely change the current Apple TV.
HBO Chairman and CEO Richard Plepler Announces HBO to Offer a Stand-Alone HBO Streaming Service in 2015
Speaking at the Time Warner Inc. Investor Meeting today, Richard Plepler, chairman and CEO, HBO, announced that the company will offer a stand-alone HBO streaming service in 2015. Following a portion of his presentation focused on HBO’s domestic business, during which he cited significant growth opportunities inside the pay-TV universe, Plepler then turned to the current ten million broadband-only homes, which is projected to grow.
Plepler then added:
“That is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped. It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO.
“So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them.”
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“So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States”
So once again we have another company who just doesn’t get it – either launch it globally on day one or don’t waste anyones time by doing half assed half baked US only launch. Honestly, what is it with US based businesses who can’t seem to get it through their thick skulls that they’re losing potential revenue by being stuck in 1970-something?
So once again we have another consumer who just doesn’t get it. Do you know nothing of how new products are launched. Very few brand new products get launched worldwide from the start. In fact, very many products don’t even launch country-wide from the start. They won’t be losing potential revenue if they are not prepared to take on worldwide subscriptions. It’s better to protect your infrastructure through a more conservative launch than to botch the launch and have to apologize and recover when things go wrong.
In all due respect this crap has been going on for years by American based businesses who screw over international users who then resort to torrenting television episodes and then those same organisations turn around to complain that people are downloading television episodes that they won’t allow overseas customers to purchase in the first place – see ‘Game of Thrones’ as a good example. Sorry but these organisations have had how long to plan, build up infrastructure and launch globally on day one? This isn’t some sort of modern fan dangled technology but something that should have been in the works for years and for HBO to do the half assed half baked launched tells me that they’re not serious at all – heck, they’re not even bothering to team up with the likes of Lightbox or SkyTV in NZ nor Foxtel in Australia or Virgin cable in the UK tells me that they’re not actually serious about thinking big and delivering big. Sorry to sound bitter but I’ve waiting far too bloody long for HBO only to turn around and deliver something that is little more than a token effort at best.
Sez teh American. :-)
Seriously, for those of us outside the USA the crappy media bias is such an obvious, stupid, (and so easily fixed) oversight. It’s been going on for decades now and it’s just insane.
Think of comedy Central for instance. Widely popular around the world, but officially “banned” outside of the USA. All of the comedy in question is topical, and mostly political. A week after the jokes are made on a Comedy Central show, they aren’t even relevant anymore. There is literally no way to recapture the audience in the future, that’s lost today by making it “USA only.” No one is going to want to watch a joke about a political entity or a story in the news that happened months or years ago.
There are literally bushels of money that are *not* being made by US media entities that insist on ignoring the rest of the world. it’s like throwing dollar bills out the window.
Even US based Tech websites, (many of which have about 50% non-USA readership), constantly ignore the rest of the world. They phrase their stories and present them as if talking exclusively to a USA audience (which is basically like flipping the bird to half your readers). Apparently, it isn’t intentional, they literally just don’t even think about it. Maybe one Tech blog out of a hundred actively courts international users and it’s really apparent when they do because they stick out against the USA-only background.
How do you expect non-Americans to react to this?
I agree with all points and would like to add another. There are licensing agreements in place everywhere in the world and local and federal governments who get their cut and then you have all the protectionism in place for artists. Although it seems right to deliver all at once to the entire world – it’s just not possible with all the different laws and agreements. Look at all the lawsuits apple faced over Warranties in different countries and for selling music – google faces issues as well.
Again, I feel it’s simpler to deliver at home first, make some money and reinvest in other countries.
My alternate viewpoint…
Yes, because this is only a US broadcaster problem. /sarcasm
I have to wait 8 days to watch Top Gear here in the US after it airs on the BBC. I don’t watch Dr. Who, but I imagine the same goes for that series as well.
Doctor Who is actually same day. It just airs about four and half hours later.
Dr Who rocks!
I’m so confused by this comment…1970 something? What was going on in consumerism in 1970’s globally that isn’t still going on today? HBO is finally getting with the times and you’re upset because the US gets an unproven product first? You should be thanking us for beta testing their product for you…haha
That makes no sense. HBO itself is carried internationally on literally dozens upon dozens of different cable / satellite carriers (often more than one per country), sometimes as a premium add-on (as in the US) and sometimes as a basic cable channel. Each carrier has a different negotiated contract with HBO and Time Warner. To launch a new web service internationally, in ALL MARKETS, would mean that every single contract and carrier would need to agree to the new “competition” of a web-based service, which they may not all be inclined to do, let alone agreement from ISPs, and internet regulators, in every other international market. Nothing ever launches “globally” for this reason. Even highly sought-after product launches almost always start in the United States (HBO is a US-based company, don’t forget), and eventually roll out to the international market as regulations and contracts allow.
If HBO is able to pull it off in the U.S. – the biggest and most lucrative TV market for HBO – why on earth should they put all that on hold because the negotiations are being held up with some Bolivian cable company, or the details aren’t ironed out by the Slovakian internet service providers?
agree, that means if you travel for business who can’t use it
I can understand your position, but because HBO a US based content provider, it’s just cheaper for them to do it that way and very few companies in the world can launch anything globally, especially a content provider. Had you thought about what you said before you said it, you also would have realized that not even Netflix and launch anything globally.
Just setting up broadcast rights to air a commercial in another country is different, retransmission rights are different, etc. So again, I really do understand why you would be upset if it’s not going to launch where your at, but at least HBO has finally got the guts to do it and get out from underneath of the thumb of cable companies.
All of this points to why Comcast and Time Warner Cable want to merge. (which is a another story in itself)
Will it be in 4k?
Yes
Well that’s good news then! I don’t expect 4k to be a standard for TV broadcast anytime soon, but it’s good to see it is indeed slowly becoming more available. I do wonder if there’s enough content out there. Sure, they can scan film negative at a high resolution, but noise will remain there. I also wonder if people will see the difference from 1k ánd want to pay for a new set for that higher resolution. Interesting times…
HBO That’s all I need.
HBO & AMC. That’s all I need.
HBO, AMC & FX. That’s all I need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSWBuZws30g
Wow. I used to really like that movie back in the day. I can’t believe how bad it seems now. Horrible acting, lousy jokes. Ugh.
Great analogy of the coming future of a la carte channels though.
You win the internet!!
Outstanding, brilliant, amazingly poignant reply!!! Bravo sir, bravo!!
Me, I still need NBA TV, ESPN, USA, TVLand, Food Network,Travel Channel, AMC, FX, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Cartoon Network and Discovery to be available without the need for a cable/satellite subscription and I’d be set.
Local channels without local carrier restrictions would be nice too. I shouldn’t need Verizon Fios (which isn’t available in my area) in order to watch ABC or NBC shows via Apple TV.
I would like for FIA and FIM to make some sort of deal with Apple to get Formula1 and MotoGP season packages. I LOATHED SpeedTV, or as I called it, the NASCRAP channel, and I refuse to get cable just for F1 and MotoGP races. I have to torrent them. Something like how WWE has a 6 month season package with AppleTV.
also HBO, Showtime, AMC, Food Network, Comedy Central is about all I need.
As for local channels like Fox, ABC, NBC, I get those over the air no problem, in HD too.
Comcast is going to hate it but if they have this out before Game of Thrones comes the lady and I will:
1. Dance a jig
2. Cut our premium cable subscription including streampix which we never use
3. Dance a jig
4. Buy the new Apple TV (assuming this may be a launch partner)
5. Dance a jig
6. Erect a HD antenna for OTA and add a channelmaster DVR.
7. Dance a jig
8. For sports get chummy with the local patrons at the pub
9. Dance a jig
10. Save a boatload of money
>> Erect a HD antenna for OTA and add a channelmaster DVR.
Had never heard of Channel Matser prior to your post. Did some research which also led me to the discovery of Tablo and Simple TV. Holy cow this segment has advanced in the last couple years. I was basically doing this kind of thing with PCs, iMacs, tuners and various software options (WMC, Elgato EyeTV, MythTV, etc), none of which were really as elegant solutions as these.
Man, Apple could do such major damage in this arena by just adding some small capabilities to the ATV.
sounds like some stuff I’ve done in the past with ElGato. Gonna look more into it. Thanks @hmurchison
The real question though is how much it will cost. Even ten dollars a month would be a really bad deal although I’m sure there are many that will pay it, not realising how foolish they are.
You can get HBO, plus two other premium channel add-ons for $15 a month on cable in my area. HBO has some great shows but if it’s worth more than $5 a month, then a lot of other channels are as well and …
… BOOM, you are now paying *more* than the price of cable for the exact same entertainment.
thats $15 extra on top of the $80+ dollars for HD cable for 200+ channels that you don’t watch anyways.
I don’t think you’re understanding the announcement. People who subscribe to HBO on top of their regular cable subscription ALREADY get streaming HBO – its called HBO GO. We’ve been using it on our Apple TV for a year, because we have a basic cable subscription and pay for traditional HBO.
This announcement just means that HBO GO will be available to people who have no cable subscription at all. Meaning they won’t pay ANY cable TV bill, whatsoever. $10 a month is a good deal for HBO content, as is pretty much in line with the cost of the two other major streaming channels, Netflix and Hulu Plus, which are each $8 a month.
When I had HBO and Showtime I was paying 120 a month and that is all I watched. If they do this I will be paying 10. That is saving $1210 a year.
Oh joy! The open sewer in the living room gains a new outlet.
“Plepler also described the future HBO offering as ‘over-the-top’ which hopefully means the offering will include new content as it airs rather than holding it for the next day.”
I’ve always been able to watch HBO shows (True Detective, The Newsroom, Silicon Valley) on HBO GO right as they air, not the next day, unless this has been changed extremely recently.
You’re probably the only one that watches Silicon Valley. That show is just downright horrible. The main character needs to be punched in the face so it’d improve his speech. I’d smoke bongs with the token dude though,
I think HBO can charge a premium. I’d gladly pay $15 a month for HBO access. We like our Netflix but for unique programming it’s still a toddler compared to HBO’s legacy of excellent programming.