Apple Adds WatchESPN, HBO GO, Sky News, and More to Apple TV

[richman555]

but we do get a choice over which apps are visible.

Probably not. But this could also be because Apple TV interface itself... is an app.

 

[kendallb]

Don't get too excited if you are a Comcast subscriber. Those bastards let me watch on my Apple iPad, but they won't allow it on streaming devices attached to your TV, like my Roku. Only reason I bought a Roku was to get HBO GO, so it is a paper weight for me. IF they allow me to watch on my Apple TV, I will be stoked, but given their past behavior I would not be surprised if they block it...

 

[Hitch08]

HBO GO is all on-demand content. Every movie currently shown by HBO, and every episode of every series they've made, available on demand.

Thank you for this explanation. I was trying to understand why it is such a big deal to be able to watch HBO on your Apple TV, when it is already on your....TV.

 

[DDaddyx2]

Still needs Amazon Prime Video. I used to bitch about Pandora missing but iRadio will fill that need.

 

[LixLev]

Whenever I try to open HBO Go, I just get a black screen. I can open ESPN Watch absolutely fine though. Anyone else having this problem?

 

[Jaro65]

You took the words out of my mouth Great to see more content added, still waiting for Amazon ...

Even though Amazon Instant Video is a competitor to iTunes, I hope Apple does what's right for its customers and adds that streaming soon.

 

[phinsup]

I don't see any option for HBO Go/Directv on the hbogo.com website.

 

[DDaddyx2]

Probably not but Amazon does have their video app for iOS devices

A channel similar to what's on the iPad, where Prime subscribers can watch their free content, shouldn't be a threat to Apple any more than Netflix is. If I want to rent a movie that isn't on Prime, then Apple can still force you to use iTunes.

 

[puckhead193]

with the sky news, can you get Sky sports?

 

[Kebabselector]

Yay, more stuff to remove in settings!
(Sky news anyway)

 

[shaown]

Unfortunately ESPN has never been free OTA. Its the most expensive channel that Cable Providers pay for - i.e. they don't make enough money off just advertising. But I bet they could sell it direct to us for 5 or 10 bucks a month.
-Shaown

I should be able to watch ESPN online regardless of having a cable subscription. Show me commercials, I don't care, but I'm hoping the internet can return us to the "over the air" days when there was no third party cable provider; just the network and its commercials. For now the networks have made their bed with the cable providers, and the consumers are not happy. Hopefully it changes.

 

[Eduardo1971]

Yeah, what's the theory here?

One can enjoy watching HBO on the same TV as before but with a different remote?

Snazzy!

Not so fast with the sarcastic replies.

This would actually be useful for those multi-story homes TV's that do not have access to a cable outlet or do not have a satellite/cable box for that TV.

This way just attach a Apple TV and your set to watch media.

 

[Elbon]

It's a shame that HBO Go is cable subscriber only.

Yeah. I don't have cable, but I'd consider subscribing to an HBO Go service if it was available.

 

[philstubbington]

If only we could get this in the UK

I realise this is unlikely, but HBO Go would be great to have in the UK. I don't have (and don't want) Sky, so not sure how else I would get it.

 

[Skika]

Yeey Crunchyroll

 

[4mat]

Just Qello and Crunchyroll added in this update in Australia

 

[Eduardo1971]

Whatever. Still sucks that you have to be a cable subscriber to use it.

You do realize that Apple has no control over the matter?

If you are upset your anger is towards the cable/satellite companies and the content providers.

 

[brsboarder]

Ugh! I almost want to unjailbreak my atv 2 just for watchespn

 

[rpe33]

I don't see any option for HBO Go/Directv on the hbogo.com website.

DirecTV is not a participating provider. They don't participate with Roku either.

 

[shk718]

I think this is a great step in breaking down the horrible cable monopolies. The second they start offering a subscription to HBO I will cancel it on Time Warner and immediately switch to Apple TV. How many times do I watch a show and it freezes or the sound drops out? And I don't need to pay for a 1,000 useless channels that I will never watch.

 

[roboclint]

It wouldn't surprise me if DirectTV didn't support HBOGO on the AppleTV since they don't on the Roku. They seem to have a problem with "streaming boxes".

Continue with airplay for now.

 

[darkslide29]

Don't get too excited if you are a Comcast subscriber. Those bastards let me watch on my Apple iPad, but they won't allow it on streaming devices attached to your TV, like my Roku. Only reason I bought a Roku was to get HBO GO, so it is a paper weight for me. IF they allow me to watch on my Apple TV, I will be stoked, but given their past behavior I would not be surprised if they block it...

Has anyone been able to confirm if Comcast is an approved provider on the Apple TV for HBO Go?

Like this poster said, HBO Go with a Comcast login works great on an iPhone and iPad, so I have hope Apple TV will work too.

But as you said, the Roku has hbo go and doesn't allow Comcast. A shame, because my parents need an hbo go box (and so does my second bedroom!).
If it works, I guess I'll be buying two more Apple TV's...

 

[r88my]

We really need the likes of BBC iplayer, ITV player and 4OD in the UK. Lots of set top boxes and the PS3 have them, why cant the ATV have them too?

 

[scott182]

Don't get too excited if you are a Comcast subscriber. Those bastards let me watch on my Apple iPad, but they won't allow it on streaming devices attached to your TV, like my Roku. Only reason I bought a Roku was to get HBO GO, so it is a paper weight for me. IF they allow me to watch on my Apple TV, I will be stoked, but given their past behavior I would not be surprised if they block it...

According to this article, Comcast will be allowing HBO GO on Apple TV, but I can't confirm.

The catch is that access is limited to MSOs that have TV Everywhere deals in place with those networks and support their Apple TV apps. Comcast and Time Warner Cable are among the first MSOs to confirm that their customers will be able to authenticate on Apple’s TV streaming device.

 

[echoout]

I think this is a great step in breaking down the horrible cable monopolies. The second they start offering a subscription to HBO I will cancel it on Time Warner and immediately switch to Apple TV. How many times do I watch a show and it freezes or the sound drops out? And I don't need to pay for a 1,000 useless channels that I will never watch.

As someone ready to cut cable, this actually feels like a step towards strengthening the existing system as it's an incentive for me to keep my TWC plan.