[dualsub2006]

For reasons known only to them, D* has chosen not to allow HBO Go access on the Roku. Some guessed that perhaps D* was a little uncomfortable helping a company like Roku that markets a cord cutting device.

HBO Go IS available for D* subscribers on the Xbox, after all, that's a gaming console and not a cord cutting streamer.

Think again:
http://m.techcrunch.com/2012/06/04/the-xbox-360-now-a-true-cable-box-killer/

This isn't something that will cause people to cut the cord tomorrow, but Microsoft has stated that their goal is to own the living room with the Xbox.

 

[Darcaine]

Microsoft has never hidden the fact that they wanted to control the living room. They made that clear when they announced the original Xbox.

It always seemed strange to me that Directv would have anything to do with them, but I suppose money talks, and Microsoft is no stranger to throwing money at every opportunity they see.

But perhaps with ESPN going to Xbox Live, and potentially pulling people away from the cable/sat companies, we'll see a drop in the price of ESPN, or maybe even an a la carte offering, which would be welcomed, imo.

 

[ShapeGSX]

For the moment, you still need to be subscribed to a TV service in order to use the XBox video services like ESPN. So this is not a cord cutting tool. Frankly, though, neither is HBO GO on Roku.

 

[Darcaine]

For the moment, you still need to be subscribed to a TV service in order to use the XBox video services like ESPN. So this is not a cord cutting tool. Frankly, though, neither is HBO GO on Roku.

True, but how long will that last? Not very long IMO.

 

[dualsub2006]

For the moment, you still need to be subscribed to a TV service in order to use the XBox video services like ESPN. So this is not a cord cutting tool. Frankly, though, neither is HBO GO on Roku.

That's true, but MS spent the second half of last year talking about pay tv on the Xbox, then in January's said that it would be too expensive.

It might be easier to negotiate lower fees with the pay networks if they could show several million active users.

 

[Shades228]

True, but how long will that last? Not very long IMO.

People said the same thing 5 years ago and we're still not close.

 

[Nick]

For the moment, you still need to be subscribed to a TV service in order to use the XBox video services like ESPN. So this is not a cord cutting tool. Frankly, though, neither is HBO GO on Roku.

True, but how long will that last? Not very long IMO.

Access to HBOGO content will always require a subsrciption, whether through a cable or sat provider, or delivered directly via streaming. Why would/should HBO ever give away their programming?

 

[dualsub2006]

People said the same thing 5 years ago and we're still not close.

Watch ESPN, HBO Go, MAX Go, CNN app, TruTV, Showtime Anytime and soon enough Starz. All networks with streaming apps. We're much closer to over the top now than 5 years ago.

Maybe it doesn't ever happen, but MS has the money to make it happen if they want to.

 

[dualsub2006]

Why would/should HBO ever give away their programming?

Nobody said that they should.

 

[Darcaine]

Access to HBOGO content will always require a subsrciption, whether through a cable or sat provider, or delivered directly via streaming. Why would/should HBO ever give away their programming?

My point wasn't that it wouldn't require a subscription. My point is that in the near future HBO/ESPN will target consumers directly a la Netflix.

You are of course right, there will always be a price to pay, but forcing linear tv subscriptions to access HBO Go, ESPN, etc won't last past this decade IMO.

 

[Darcaine]

Watch ESPN, HBO Go, MAX Go, CNN app, TruTV, Showtime Anytime and soon enough Starz. All networks with streaming apps. We're much closer to over the top now than 5 years ago.

Maybe it doesn't ever happen, but MS has the money to make it happen if they want to.

Exactly, and if any company has the desire to, it'll be MS.

 

[shuye]

True, but how long will that last? Not very long IMO.

The wait is over - I saw over the weekend that you can now stream videos, free (with Prime account) and paid through Amazon on the Xbox now.

 

[Darcaine]

The wait is over - I saw over the weekend that you can now stream videos, free (with Prime account) and paid through Amazon on the Xbox now.

Wait, do you mean HBO shows are on Amazon Primes streaming service, or just that Amazon primes streaming service is available to Xbox Live subscribers?

 

[Justin23]

Could be that HBO wanted too much per subscriber for DIRECTV customers to access it on Roku?

 

[Shades228]

Watch ESPN, HBO Go, MAX Go, CNN app, TruTV, Showtime Anytime and soon enough Starz. All networks with streaming apps. We're much closer to over the top now than 5 years ago.

Maybe it doesn't ever happen, but MS has the money to make it happen if they want to.

We're really not but the companies are doing well to provide more options to make their brands more relevant.

Wait, do you mean HBO shows are on Amazon Primes streaming service, or just that Amazon primes streaming service is available to Xbox Live subscribers?

There are some HBO shows but nothing current. If you don't mind being a couple of seasons behind it might be ok for you. It's a supplemental service not a take over service. Amazon wants to make money and not be targeted by IPS's for bandwidth issues.

Of all the services Prime gives you the most for your dollar due to the shipping upgrade as well and the fact that you can allow people in your house to have individual log ins unlike Netflix.

 

[ponchsox]

I wonder how many people just cancelled HBO after the Game of Thrones finale?

 

[Shades228]

I wonder how many people just cancelled HBO after the Game of Thrones finale?

Less than those who called to add it because of Game of Thrones I'd bet.

 

[dualsub2006]

Could be that HBO wanted too much per subscriber for DIRECTV customers to access it on Roku?

Dish has it, so I'd find that hard to believe.

D* hasn't been shy about saying that fees are too high. If money had been the object they could have, should have and probably would have said so.

They gave me several reasons why and none were about money.

 

[Justin23]

Perfect example...the "Watch ESPN" app. D* doesn't have access to it but other companies do. Probably comes down to $$$

 

[dualsub2006]

Perfect example...the "Watch ESPN" app. D* doesn't have access to it but other companies do. Probably comes down to $$$

That's definitely a money issue, as in how much ESPN wants for the Watch service AND the Longhorn Network.