HBO Streaming 2015: 5 Reasons New Deal Is Great For Fans Who Can Watch 'Game of Thrones' & 'True Detective' In Stand-Alone Service [VIDEO]
News came on Wednesday that HBO would be offering a service starting in 2015 that would make an HBO streaming application available to those who don't already have the cable service on their television plan. The new deal would allow users to purchase the app and pay for it much like Netflix. But what does that mean for fans? They have more access to their shows.
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One reason this helps fans is that it allows them to have access to this app, which brings these shows to them from wherever and doesn't shackle them to the couch in front of the TV. By having HBO streaming, it allows those who want to watch True Detective on the subway to work to do so and not have to wait to get home and pull up the DVR.
Secondly, it creates new fans. While this hasn't been a hurdle for people to get to watch the newest episodes of Game of Thrones or Boardwalk Empire, it has made them go to illegal routes and made the first show mentioned the most pirated show of the year. This will let people who haven't had access to the app before the ability to watch these show on a legal level.
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This deal is also a challenge to Netflix, who has been easily holding off Amazon Prime and even killed Redbox Instant. HBO is right now the biggest challenger to Netflix, which has been successful due to its accessibility and the fact that it doesn't cost as much as HBO to have. Now a price hasn't been announced for HBO streaming, but if it rivals the Netflix price, this could create a fourth reason for fans to be excited: a race for the best content.
This puts a thumb on Netflix. More than they already are dealing with, it will require both them and HBO to go searching for the best and most premium content to add to their lineups. Whether that means some massive properties will be coming to either or not, it will make for more big-name content.
The last reason fans should get excited is that it now allows those who haven't ever had HBO to get it and dive into classic shows like The Wire and The Sopranos. These shows, that revolutionized television, are now available to those who may have not caught them when they originally aired due to the HBO constraints. This is a way for new fans to find these classic shows and have a mini-revival of work like this.
