As Netflix
The premium cable movie channel will let subscribers stream its content on demand through Microsoft's
HBO Go has been around for more than two years, giving the channel's audience streaming access to the network's original programming, select movies, and other content. Despite a healthy representation of new releases that can't be found on other digital smorgasbords, it's HBO's signature shows that consumers are streaming. Co-President Eric Kessler claims that 75% of all HBO Go viewing consists of the channel's proprietary content.
HBO Go was originally designed for PC-based streaming -- just like Netflix -- before moving on to tablets and smartphones for truly mobile viewing. Now HBO will make its video game console debut on the Xbox -- just as Netflix did in 2008.
Console streaming is attractive for plenty of reasons. For starters, there are tens of millions of Web-tethered devices in this country for each of the three major consoles. In other words, the audience is already huge. Since consoles are typically connected to TVs, we're talking about the natural appliance to kick back and stream old episodes of Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
One can argue that HBO subscribers have already nailed the final mile through cable boxes, but we're talking about streaming on demand here. It's the way that today's breed of couch potatoes expect to consume programming.
Is this a threat to Netflix and Hulu Plus? Yes and no. HBO's content is undeniably compelling, but it's also brutally expensive.
HBO Go is provided to the channel's subscribers at no additional cost, but a subscription to HBO involves paying far more than Netflix's monthly rate on top of a required cable or satellite television subscription. Until HBO is offered as a stand-alone offering -- and it probably never will be, given its relationship with cable providers -- it will limit its reach to those willing to shell out at least $80 to $100 a month for television. Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon.com's
HBO is an old dog learning new tricks, but it's not going to be much of a show until it gives up its pedigree papers and reaches out to the masses.
Stream on
Motley Fool co-founder David Gardner has been a fan of Netflix as a disruptor for nearly a decade, but there's a new Rule-Breaking multibagger that's getting him excited these days. Learn more in a free report that you can check out right now
