HBO Go finally made it out of beta this week. And like EpixHD, the online video service requires a television subscription in order to access their web-based content. And FiOS customers with HBO are up first. Both EngadgetHD and NewTeeVee have taken HBO Go for a spin and came away relatively pleased with the Flash video quality. However, the movie selection (as opposed to original television programming) appears lacking. However, I’d much rather have fewer good, current selections than tons of mediocre, older flicks. But there’s a reason why we don’t see much of that from services like Netflix instant streaming… $$$.
So while I doubt we’ll see a large library of all-you-can-eat blockbuster films anytime soon, what I’d like out of Netflix is a weekly feature. Just ONE tent pole flick a week added to their instant streaming package that we can schedule movie night around. Of course, they don’t necessarily need to stop there… and are hopefully considering several new releases as part of a premium streaming tier to take HBO (and my cable provider) out altogether. As I doubt HBO will embrace the new reality and allow purely web-based video subscriptions.
Apparently I am missing something when it comes to services like HBO Go and XFinity. As I understand these services, cable subscribers have the ability to stream available content in addition to their traditional service. Presumably, that would be on a computer screen when they are not at home – as they would just view content on their TV when they are. Are people really that desirous of watching their favorite TV show or two hour movie on a 15″ screen? It seems to me most people are looking for a way to bring Internet content to their big screen HDTV, hence the rising popularity of services like Netflix and Amazon VOD; and devices like the Roku DVP and the move by a lot of TV and blu-ray player manufacturers to bring streaming capability to their devices.
Yeah, an excellent point. I was thinking the other day that HBO Go would primarily be appreciated by travelers or those with kids who might watch at a computer. Of course, children probably shouldn’t be watching Big Love or The Wire. (I view Netflix and Amazon VOD on television via Roku and TiVo.)
You’ve got a good point about Netflix Dave. As I’ve been catching up on Lost though Netflix streaming to my PS3 (excellent HD quality), I’ve been giving more thought to the idea that they start delivering all TV shows, even current ones that way (like Hulu).
I’m hopeful they’ll branch out into it because if they don’t and they continue their trend of artificially delaying new releases (there’s something broken about the fact that I had to go to Blockbuster to rent The Invention of Lying in order to avoid waiting a whole month), I won’t see much reason to continue subscribing.
New content is a driving force. Old content is a nice bonus.
If they want me to wait 5 years to watch The Invention of Lying, im willing to wait as long as it takes. They can put all the artificial delays in they want but it doesn’t matter because its just a sliding scale. I’ll watch a “new release” movie that is now 5 years old while I wait the other 4 and a half years for The Invention of Lying to be five years old….In the end all they are doing is reducing the total amount of sales because there is no way that any artificial delay is going to get me to buy the movie or pay blockbuster to rent it x amount of time sooner
Question: How many extra DVDs and Blu-ray discs do they really sell by delaying the release of movies on Netflix and Redbox?
I would think the opposite way could sell more discs: People rent or stream the movie for cheap, and the love it so much they want to buy it.
That assumes the movies are any good to begin with, which is probably why they want to trick us into buying them before we can rent them.
I suspect that at some point in the not too distant future, HBO Go will be offered through Netflix for a price premium in line with what you pay through the cable company, the same with Epix. Netflix and Amazon are eliminating the need for so many traditional channels. Eliminate the cost of running a channel and put all the cash into content and everyone makes money, including the cable company who supplies the broadband pipes.
Hey I can dream can’t I?
I am waiting for the first forward thinking, get out in front of the crowd premium content provider (Showtime, HBO, Disney, etc.) to recognize that streaming content to large screen HDTVs via an STB is quickly gaining acceptance as a legitimate content delivery vehicle, and look to strike a deal with a Roku, Boxee, Popbox, etc. Instead of providing HBO Go – a service of questionable value – to existing customers, why not be bold and look to expand your customer base by creating a channel on a device like the Roku DVP and pick up new customers.
Showtime is probably the most forward thinking. However, whomever does over-the-top premium for real and whole hog would likely alienate their cable partners – which is still their bread and butter. We still probably need someone beyond the old school establishment to make it happen. Like Netflix. Once upon a time, I thought Starz might be able to do it. But they were too soon and ended up killing their product (Vongo) before anyone knew what to do with it. Maybe they’ll give it another ago. Disney has a shot given their relationship with Apple/Jobs. But it’s a tough nut to crack. And so we wait impatiently. :/
I already get access to HBO thru the Comcast Xfinity Online thing. Which works fine when I’m at home. And stutters badly when I’m in a hotel room with a so-so internet feed. So it works where I don’t need it. Suspect this will be the same.
Now my Slingbox works everywhere of course, just degrades to a managable level even in that same hotel room. I assume the newer variable rate streaming services like the Olympics should work as well, assuming they encode using enough bit rates. I probably should try it while I’m on the road just to see.
I’m not quite clear on how something like HBO or Showtime survives in the longrun given the move to an everything on demand world. Won’t producers of content like Lions Gate or MGM or Sony bypass HBO and SHO and sell their content directly somehow, to retain a larger share of the likely-shrinking revenue? Without “tent pole” content like Sopranos, I’m not clear why I’d pay for HBO…
I’m already an HBO subscriber, so the fact that they are giving me something else for no additional charge is great.
However, I’m just not entirely sure why I care. Wouldn’t I rather have this available on my TV through XBox, TiVo, PS3, or the Verizon FIOS DVR? I guess if I’m traveling I’ll add it to my options for hotel room viewing, but I’m not sure I’d choose to keep HBO as a result of this. We’ll see though. As I said, I’m not really upset to get something I didn’t have for free!
One very odd thing I noticed. Although I am not a Sex and the City watcher, why bother putting up 6 episodes from Season 4? I assume this is yet another ridiculous artifact of tv show licensing, but is there really anyone out there just looking to watch 6 episodes originally aired in 2002?!?
How do live sports tie into this potential? Here in Philly, the Comcast basically controls the local broadcasts of MLB, NHL & NBA games. To the point of being able to withhold them from satellite.
Does anyone know if the Xfinity content includes live sports?
Meanwhile, in a few locations, some MLB teams have added in market streaming of local games (Yankees, Angels?). That’s separate from the MLB online package of live out-of-market games.
See the list of channels here: http://bit.ly/9Nxweu
We have developed 10 channels for the Roku. We enjoy making these channels available to the Roku community and would like to be able to continue to develop more, but the development is time consuming.
We think these types of devices are going to change the way we watch television!
We are also really busy with stuff that pays so we thought we’d try the donation method……..
Donate any amount via PayPal (pay what you think it’s worth, don’t be so cheap :) and we will send you the “Private Beta Channel” code for the channel you donated to. You can immediately install the channel by visiting https://owner.roku.com/account/channelcode and putting the code in from the PayPal conformation email. Tell your friends! If we can get to the $$ goal on our channels, we’ll be able to devote lots of time to creating new and interesting channels for your box.
Visit http://bit.ly/9Nxweu
cant find sinup for roku hbogo help