Apple in Talks With HBO to Launch $15/Month HBO Now Streaming Service on Apple TV

Apple is in talks with HBO to launch its new streaming service, HBO Now, on the Apple TV, reports IBT. HBO is working with Major League Baseball Advanced Media to have HBO Now ready to launch in April, coinciding with the premiere of the fifth season of Game of Thrones.

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, or about the that consumers pay when they order HBO through their cable, satellite or telco provider.

HBO's parent, Time Warner, is looking at new distributors for the service including the Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon and others. CEO Jeff Bewkes says that this offering could reach some 70 million cable TV subscribers who don't subscribe to HBO but might subscribe online. Of course, it would also be great for those non-cable subscribers who enjoy HBO's programming.


Apple has apparently been 'most aggressive' in courting HBO to get the service. The Apple TV already offers HBO Go for current subscribers and HBO Now would likely be added as a second app. The streaming service could help Apple drive adoption of its media player and move it towards an 'over the top' pay TV service.

Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

Read More [via Ken]