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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe HBO Now announcement reminds us why we need net neutrality...
Consumerist
The HBO Now announcement reminds us why we need net neutrality...
This afternoon, HBO announced the details of its HBO Now streaming service that will finally allow consumers without cable TV to access the premium pay-TV network without having to be burdened with a cable bill for channels they dont watch. But the fact that HBO has opted to go with Apple as its launch partner and not Comcast or any of the major pay-TV carriers is a reminder of just how important net neutrality is.
For months, HBO had been giving every indication that HBO Now would be sold through pay-TV providers. In Nov. 2014, HBO CEO Richard Plepler said there was gold in the hills for cable companies in a standalone HBO streaming service. These companies control broadband access for most consumers so they could make money by selling subscriptions to it.
But then the network decided to go with Apple, which is not an ISP for its launch partner. That makes some sense for both parties it gives HBO immediate access to millions of iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs (along with PC users) and some time to hammer out the details of making HBO Now work on the wide variety of Android devices. And Apple only stands to make money from the deal, as it doesnt have pay-TV subscribers to lose.
So how does this all tie into neutrality?
HBO didnt just cut out at least initially the pay-TV companies that stand to lose subscribers whove only been holding on to basic cable packages for the sake of maintaining HBO access. Those same pay-TV providers control the pipes through which HBO Now will stream.
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yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I know most think we will but what our future will have is a limit on streaming. Some already put 250 per month and if you go over the limit....yieks. We will eventually pay as much or more for Internet then we do for cable and Internet. Not a promising future no matter the cheerleading.
malokvale77
(4,879 posts)most are wising up and seeing how they are being screwed.
Cable is a dead end. Roku will kill them.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)And I think being funny because you know I am right. You know how they put a data limit on your cell phone? Well they are starting with Internet streaming. So yes you will be paying as much as you are for cable and Internet. Trust me. I am right.
malokvale77
(4,879 posts)Who am I to argue?
musiclawyer
(2,335 posts)Short term. All devices will have HBO by this time next year.
The take away is that this is the beginning of ala carte. At long last. The big internet providers will jack up their internet rates. But there will be limits. . Net neutrality somewhat evens the playing field for the production companies whether big or small who will no longer go through the nasty middle man ... Big time sports can only keep cable alive as we know it for so long
xmas74
(29,676 posts)You can get ESPN on Sling tv, along with TBS, TNT, AMC and a few others for $20 a month-cheaper than ordering cable. A coworker purchased a good antenna for over the air transmissions (all network and locals), has Netflix and Hulu and plans on trying the Sling tv, since there is a free seven day trial. She said that, if she likes it she plans on cancelling cable. Right now her cable bill is over $100 a month so $36 would be a huge improvement. She even talked about the HBO Now, saying that adding that with the others would still be a big savings.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Would 'net-neutrality' prevent Apple from getting an 'exclusive' deal like this?
musiclawyer
(2,335 posts)Cable is vestigial. There is no need for it now. And cable and the telecoms better be careful how much they charge for internet access. If they abuse their privileges, cities and counties will just go to google or to someone else and build their own high speed network.