HBO Launches HBO Go For Online Content

By Amanda Pendolino on February 17th, 2010

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It seems crazy that HBO hasn’t joined the online content game until now. According to The Washington Post, the pay-cable network has just launched HBO Go, a new initiative to make TV content available online to paying subscribers. That’s right, you still have to pay for HBO, but you get 600 hours of movies and TV shows which can be streamed live and even in HD. But is it worth it? You can watch every episode of The Wire and the final season of The Sopranos, but not one episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. And 600 hours is actually a lot less than what’s available on their regular TV channels, especially if your package includes multiple HBOs.

With Netflix getting into the streaming game (and even offering stream-to-your-TV options), it seems like the only reason you’d want HBO is if you absolutely can’t live without their original programming. Personally, I love Entourage, but is that enough to keep subscribing? It seems as though HBO is no longer the gold standard in watching movies. What have they been doing for the last ten years? Hulu is another big competitor, and although it may not be free forever, it already has a big fan base and more TV options.

HBO Go is currently available for Comcast and Verizon FiOS subscribers who also subscribe to HBO. According to the site, “There are more than 800 shows available on HBO GO every month. From new HBO Original Series and Hollywood hit movies to a vast selection of HBO award-winning original programming, there’s always something to watch.” HBO Go does not currently offer pay-per-view options for non-subscribers.