[opendtv] Cablevision-HBO Now Deal May Be Killer Blow To Apple : PERSONAL TECH : Tech Times
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2015 08:38:45 -0400
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/40203/20150318/cablevision-hbo-now-deal-may-be-killer-blow-to-apple.htm
Cablevision-HBO Now Deal May Be Killer Blow To Apple
First HBO courted Apple and declared its HBO Now live streaming service would
be exclusive to Apple TV subscribers.
That was exactly a week ago as Apple CEO Tim Cook made the big announcement
during his company's Spring Forward event.
Now HBO Now is also 'exclusive' in the cable market after signing an agreement
with Cablevision to stream the standalone HBO Now on Optimum Online,
Cablevision's Internet and Wi-Fi services.
The service will launch in April just in time for the fifth season of "Games of
Thrones," one of HBO's most popular drama action series.
"As New York's premier connectivity company, we are enabling Optimum Online
customers to enjoy content in any way they choose to receive it. We are
well-positioned to support HBO NOW and, as technology advances, Cablevision
will continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers," states Kristin
Dolan, Cablevision chief operating officer in a press release.
"We couldn't be more excited that our longtime partner has joined us for the
launch of HBO NOW," said Tom Woodbury, president, Global Distribution, HBO. "We
believe that HBO NOW will have great appeal to Cablevision's broadband
customers."
Cablevision, which provides broadband Internet and pay-TV packages in the New
York City and Long Island regions, is the first cable company to announce plans
to distribute the service.
Neither HBO nor Cablevision disclosed the deal's terms or how much it will
charge its customers. In the Apple TV-HBO agreement Apple stated it will charge
subscribers $14.99 a month for HBO Now. Apple TV lets consumers stream video
without a subscription to a pay-TV service.
Cablevision said it would be selling HBO Now to customers who are already
subscribed to Optimum Online.
"We are enabling Optimum Online customers to enjoy content in any way they
choose to receive it," Dolan said in a statement.
Customers using a cable TV service can stream HBO programming using the HBO Go
app if they are subscribed to a package that includes HBO.
HBO initially announced the HBO Now service in October 2014. At the time HBO
Chief Executive Office Richard Plepler said the offering represents HBO's
strategy to make the service available to anyone who wants it.
"It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO," said Plepler, who
noted there were 80 million homes that do not have HBO.
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