International Business Times:
HBO is in talks with Apple to make Apple TV one of the launch partners for its highly anticipated streaming service when it debuts next month. HBO and streaming partner Major League Baseball Advanced Media are working to have the standalone service, called “HBO Now,” ready to launch in April in conjunction with the premiere of the fifth season of “Game of Thrones,” according to sources familiar with their plans.
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 what consumers pay when they order HBO through their cable, satellite or telco provider.
An important part of net neutrality: The cable companies can’t slow down HBO Now packets in an attempt to steer you to their own HBO packaged service.
Hmmm, I’d love to see some quotes from cable company executives about this. If you think the rumors about a possible Apple car that might hit the market in a decade worries auto execs, this is, literally, the writing on the way about the beginning of the end of the cable company as cash-cow monopoly!
I find it a bit interesting that Apple has the leverage to get HBO to agree to this with them. From a consumer standpoint, the Apple TV hasn’t been really touched as a project since it launched in 2010, and Apple’s not especially pushing it, despite subtle signs to the contrary.
Still, it’s nice to see the AppleTV in the rumor mill again. Though, I’m not hopeful that it’ll show up at the Watch event. Unless HomeKit becomes a selling point for the watch, there’s little reason to bring it up.