Showtime standalone service launching on Apple devices in July

Posted by Elias Saba on — 5 Comments

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In a move mirroring HBO Now, Showtime will be launching a new standalone subscription service next month. The new service, simply named Showtime, will undercut HBO by $4 and cost $10.99 per month. Unlike the current Showtime Anytime app, the new service will not require a subscription or cable service. The service will initially be available on Apple devices and online only. No word yet on when Apple’s exclusivity will end or when the service will be available on Fire TV devices. Showtime being available on the Fire TV at launch indicates the company has a good relationship with Amazon, so I’d expect the new service to be available on the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick shortly after Apple’s exclusivity deal ends.

ViaCordCuttersNews
SourceCBS

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Cablevision bundles Web, Digital Antenna, and optional HBO Now in new “Cord Cutter” package

Posted by Elias Saba on — 12 Comments

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Cablevision, a cable and internet service provider in the greater New York area who operates under the Optimum brand, has debuted two new packages targeted towards new media. The first bundle, officially called the “Cord Cutter” package, combines 50 Mbps internet service, a complimentary over-the-air digital antenna, and wifi hotspot access for $45 per month. The second “Everyday Low Price” package combines the same digital antenna and wifi hotspot access with slower 5Mbps internet service and a VOIP-based phone service for $35 per month. Subscribing to either plan grants you the option to add HBO Now for $15 per month. Being an Optimum internet subscriber is currently the only way to sign up for HBO Now outside of Apple’s current exclusivity deal.

These new bundles aren’t groundbreaking, but it is the first time an internet service provider like Cablevision has ever handed out digital antennas to their customers. With Sling TV gaining in popularity and Verizon offering semi-a-la-carte programming earlier this month, expect to see more interesting ways for traditional content providers to appeal to cord-cutters and cord-omg-lmao-yolo-ers.

SourceBusinessWire

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Sling TV now offers live and on-demand HBO for an additional $15 per month

Posted by Elias Saba on — 6 Comments

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If you can’t wait for HBO’s stand-alone subscription service, HBO Now, to come to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, then Sling TV has you covered. The over-the-top streaming television service has just added HBO to their line-up of ever growing extra channel packages. You’ll still need to subscribe to their $20 per month base service to add HBO, but it’s now the only way to watch HBO on the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick without a traditional cable subscription. Read more ›

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Apple’s HBO Now exclusivity to end in July

Posted by Elias Saba on — 8 Comments

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The just announced standalone HBO subscription service, HBO Now, will be exclusive to Apple devices when it launches next month. We’ve learned now that Apple’s exclusivity will only last 3 months, so expect the service to land on other devices like the Fire TV as early as July. Interestingly though, subscribers will also be able to access HBO’s programming on their website from the beginning. This means Apple’s hold on the service isn’t as tight as it first appeared since it seems any computer, including Windows devices, will also be able to watch via HBO’s website. We’ll have to wait and see whether signing up for the service will require an iOS device or not.

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HBO Now launching exclusively on Apple TV in April for $14.99 per month

Posted by Elias Saba on — 5 Comments

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HBO’s CEO, Richard Plepler, just took the stage at Apple’s watch event to announce that HBO’s stand-alone streaming service, HBO Now, will be launching this April. The service, which does not require a cable subscription, will initially be exclusive to Apple TV devices and will cost $14.99 per month. A launch date was not given, but Plepler did say the service would launch in time to watch Game of Throne’s season 5 premier on April 12th. Apple has also announced that the 2 year old Apple TV will finally be receiving a price reduction from $99 to $69.

Seeing how the announcement came at an Apple event, it’s no surprise that no word was given on when the service would make its way to other devices. Considering Amazon has a tight relationship with HBO, it’s safe to say the service will eventually make its way to the Fire TV. We’ll just have to wait and see when that will be.

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HBO stand-alone subscription service reportedly launching in April for $15 per month

Posted by Elias Saba on — 6 Comments

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HBO’s upcoming subscription service will reportedly be called “HBO Now” and is expected to cost $15 per month, according to a report by International Business Times. For the first time, consumers will be able to subscribe to HBO directly without the need of a television subscription. The new service will debut with a new app, instead of using the existing HBO Go apps. The two apps will coexist, with HBO Go delegated for cable subscriber access and HBO Now used for stand-alone access.

No word on if or when the new service will arrive on the Fire TV. The report only mentions Apple being most aggressive in courting HBO to add the service to the Apple TV. When HBO Go arrived on the Fire TV last December, Amazon said the app would make its way to the Fire TV Stick this spring. That time frame aligns perfectly with this new service, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see both HBO Go and HBO Now on both devices come this spring.

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Sling TV now available in the US — Adds AMC and new Sports Package to lineup

Posted by Elias Saba on — 18 Comments

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Sling TV is no longer invite only and has officially launched in the US. The Fire TV and Fire TV Stick apps have not been released yet, but you can sideload the Android app while you wait for the official Fire TV app. Sling has also announced that AMC will be added to the core channel package at no additional charge. Read more ›

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Sling TV invites start rolling out tonight — 1 week Free trial included

Posted by Elias Saba on — 30 Comments

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Sling TV, a $20 a month streaming-only cable television subscription service coming to the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, will begin sending out their first batch of sign-up invitations tonight at 9 p.m. PT. Invitations will come with a 1 week free trial offer. If all goes well, the service will fully launch to everyone in about 2 weeks. Sling is also promising to offer device bundle packages that will be announced soon. No word if these bundles will just be extended trial periods, like the 30 day free trial announced for Xbox One owners, or if they will include service discounts.

Early reviews of Sling TV have been praising the service’s picture quality and fast channel flipping experience. The service’s DVR aspects, on the other hand, have left reviewers wanting more. Most channels, including ESPN and ESPN 2, don’t offer any DVR features and can only be watched live. It’s clear Sling TV, in its current form at least, isn’t the cable subscription savior we’ve all been hoping for, but it’s shaping up to be a great starting step.

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Everything you need to know about the new Sling TV service

Posted by Elias Saba on — 17 Comments

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One of the most exciting things to come out of CES this year was the announcement of Sling TV, a streaming-only cable television subscription service coming to the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch answered a few questions yesterday in a Reddit AMA session and revealed some new information about the service. Here’s a rundown of everything we know, new and old, about the upcoming service. Read more ›

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Dish announces $20 per month internet TV service Sling TV — coming to Amazon Fire TV & Fire TV Stick

Posted by Elias Saba on — 20 Comments

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Dish has announced a new internet TV service called Sling TV aimed at cord-cutters. For $20 a month, you get live streaming access to an assortment of cable networks that includes ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, TBS, TNT, HGTV, Food Network, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Travel Channel, ABC Family, Maker, and Disney Channel. This service would mark the first time ESPN, TV’s leading cable network, would be available without a traditional cable subscription. Read more ›

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