Standalone premium streaming service HBO NOW to launch in April

Today, HBO announced the name of its standalone premium streaming service, HBO NOW, and the fact that it will launch in April (in time for the fifth season of Game of Thrones, according to a release. Season premiere for GOT is April 12).

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HBO, with Apple, also announced that for the first time an HBO subscription will be made directly to Apple customers through HBO NOW. For $14.99 a month, customers can subscribe using the HBO NOW app on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, or directly on Apple TV. Upon registering, subscribers will also be able to watch at HBONOW.com. HBO says it is offering a 30-day introductory free trial period to new HBO NOW customers who sign up through Apple in April.

“HBO NOW offers a new generation of HBO fans many of the best TV programs in the world without a cable or satellite subscription,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, in a release. “Now, with the same simplicity as buying an app, customers can subscribe to HBO NOW and instantly start viewing their favorite HBO programs as they air – this is huge.” 

At launch, HBO NOW will be available on iOS devices and on PCs. HBO says it is continuing discussions with its existing network of distributors and new digital partners to offer HBO NOW.

More from HBO:

HBO NOW will offer more than 2,000 titles online. This includes current critically acclaimed series like Game of Thrones, True Detective, Silicon Valley, Girls, Veep and The Leftovers, as well as classics like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, True Blood, The Wire and Deadwood.

Highly-anticipated upcoming original programs like Westworld, the drama series starring Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Evan Rachel Wood; The Brink, the dark comedy series starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins; the new season of the Emmy-winning True Detective with Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams; and HBO Films’ Bessie, starring Queen Latifah, will become available on HBO NOW as they air on HBO.  

In addition, HBO NOW will showcase Last Week Tonight with John Oliver; VICE; HBO Sports documentaries, series and World Championship Boxing events; and groundbreaking documentary programming like Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst and the Oscar-winning Citizenfour.”

UPDATE 3/16/15: Cablevision and HBO announced that they have reached an agreement to offer HBO NOW to Optimum Online customers via the Internet. Optimum is the first cable provider to partner with HBO to offer the new service. Cablevision is expected to announce pricing and other particulars for HBO NOW in coming weeks.

1 Comment

  1. Ya know I’ve never had HBO service and hear Games of Thrones is a good show. I would like to view the previous years prior to the new season which begins on April 12. This would mean, given my busy life, I would need to see the old seasons a week before the new one, and still I don’t think I will be caught up. I’ve yet to see an app for HBO NOW. l will not sign up to HBO NOW if I get an app a day before the Game of Thrones. What’s the use?

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