HBO inks deal with Cablevision to provide HBO Now

Cablevision is the first Pay TV provider to offer HBO Now through its broadband service

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Last week when HBO announced that it had signed with Apple for it to be the exclusive launch partner for its long-awaited stand-alone streaming service, branded HBO Now, you could feel the collect, "Aw, man!" coming from all those around the Web who want to watch Game of Thrones, and are willing to pay for it, but don't currently have Apple TV.

Well, fear not, because cable providers, of all people, are now coming to your rescue.

HBO and Cablevision have entered into a deal to allow subscribers to Cablevision's broadband subscribers to access the new service, it was announced on Monday. That means that if you are an Optimum Online customer, you will be able to access HBO Now via the Internet.

“As New York’s premier connectivity company, we are enabling Optimum Online customers to enjoy content in any way they choose to receive it," Kristin Dolan, Cablevision chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We are well-positioned to support HBO NOW and, as technology advances, Cablevision will continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Last week Apple was revealed to be the exclusive launch partner for the new service, which means that users will be able to stream HBO through their web browser, but not through any other streaming box, at least for the time being. HBO Now will cost Apple TV subscribers $14.99 per month and will offer access to HBO's entirely library of original shows, both past and present, as well as its feature films catalog. 

In honor of the new partnership, Apple also decided to reduce the price of Apple TV devices from $99 to $69.

One thing is clear: HBO's deal with Apple will not affect its deal with Cablevision, including when it will be able to launch, as Apple is merely the exclusive set-top box provider.

"Our agreement with Cablevision falls outside of the Apple exclusivity. Apple has three month exclusivity as the only non-PayTV provider to offer HBO NOW," an HBO spokesperson told me. "We’ve always said that we were in conversations with our existing network of PayTV distributors that sell broadband that we hoped to have some offering HBO NOW at launch."

What is missing from this announcement with Cablevision are some key details, including when exactly Cablevision customers will have access to the service, though I'm sure it would like to have it set up in time for the April 12th premiere date. It is also unclear if the $14.99 Apple TV price will be the same rate that Cablevision customer have to pay for it as well. 

Cablevision say is plans to provide pricing and other particulars for HBO NOW in the coming weeks.

HBO first revealed the existence of its stand-alone service back in October, and it was seen by many as a reaction to the fact that Game of Thrones has been the most pirated show over each of the last three years. The idea here is that chord-cutters will pay a small fee per month, if it means they can access the show without having to go through a cable provider.

The company is also attempting to reduce piracy by simulcasting the entire upcoming season of Game of Thrones to more than 170 countries. 

Cable companies have begun to see the future, with Dish offering its Sling-TV Internet service, and now Cablevision inking this deal with HBO. They know that people are more interested in watching TV on a computer than a television, so I imagine that many more similar deals will be coming out in the next few weeks.

Cablevision was not available for further comment on the deal, but a spokesperson declined to offer any further details at this time.

(Image source: dailytech.com)