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

donutbagel said:
Yeah, I edited the post when I realized that. It's still useful because the cable box broke again. I could also cut it and use someone else's credentials.
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I don't blame you for doing this, but this is a big reason why it is going to take a long time for HBO, ESPN, and the Sunday Ticket to distribute themselves and allow independent subscriptions over the devices.

They need to figure out a way to authenticate users and block unauthorized users. There are smarter people than me who should be able to figure this out. If I could get these 3 things without a Directv subscription, I would be all over it.
 
iceman17 said:
I don't blame you for doing this, but this is a big reason why it is going to take a long time for HBO, ESPN, and the Sunday Ticket to distribute themselves and allow independent subscriptions over the devices.

They need to figure out a way to authenticate users and block unauthorized users. There are smarter people than me who should be able to figure this out. If I could get these 3 things without a Directv subscription, I would be all over it.
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There is another reason why this is not happening:
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Justice-Department-Eyes-Cable-Industry-Practices-124651

Before it was WatchESPN it used to be ESPN3 which your ISP could subscribe to, and you could access regardless of you TV package.
 
jeffmetanna said:
FINALLY!!!

But will it support Dolby Digital 5.1??

The only reason I still pirate HBO shows while subscribing to HBO legally is because HBO Go doesn't support 5.1 surround. And I don't want to rent yet another settop box from Verizon just to be able to watch the VOD with their potty user interface!
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I actually watched a movie last night on HBO Go in full surround.

HBO Go (iPod app) --> AirPlay --> Apple TV2 --> Pioneer SC-1522 A/V Receiver & Samsung HDTV.

The Pioneer app said I was getting DTS Master Audio. I can say it was definitely discrete 5.1 surround and the audio sounded (and FELT) lossless. I can quibble about the 720p video but the audio was impeccable.

I only wish I could do the same with Netflix, which I can't get in surround.
 
This will be interesting to see if the content providers implement their own subscriptions options so you can get the content without having the cable TV subscription.
 
flux73 said:
Actually, Time Warner Cable is an independent entity that only licenses the usage of the name from Time Warner. They have nothing to do with HBO (owned by Time Warner). Confusing I know.
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Thanks, I see now they spun them off in 2009. Why would anyone willingly maintain an association with a cable company? I am only half kidding. Of all the companies people hate giving their money to, cable companies are pretty high on the list.

This actually makes my idea more plausible. Especially with the planned spin-off of Time at the end of 2013. TW becomes a pure media company just waiting to be acquired.
 
Rog210 said:
"If your TV provider is not listed, access to HBO GO on Apple TV is not offered"

I'm getting real tired of your ****, HBO.
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Actually, I suspect it's DirecTV being the dolt for those of you that have them.

DirecTV has, in their mind, a competing system for content like HBO GO and Watch ESPN. Allowing ATV access will show people how useless their offering is, and at the same time, bypass data collection that currently flows through DirecTV.

Since their new CEO took over, DirecTV has gone downhill. Lots of emphasis on cost savings, customers be damned. They used to be the clear leader in HD and DVRs, I doubt that's the case now.
 
caligomez said:
Maybe not now.. but eventually, economies of scale will make a la carte pricing for moderate users a very cost efficient option. I myself only watch HBO and a few major network channels. For power TV watchers, then bundling will always be better option.

Keep in mind, however, that cable companies like to include services and equipment rental which are very profitable for them, but not necessary for us. My cable company, for example, charges you for the DVR "rental" and makes you purchase a phone line in order to get cheaper internet and basic cable. If you need 2 out of the 3 services, it would be cheaper to just get all 3. However, I have not used my phone line in god knows how long. I can't even remember the number of the top of my head..:D
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I am also waiting for a a la carte cable package and straight forward pricing so there is no need to call or play the switch providers for a week game to get promo pricing. I the only networks I watch are FOX, ABC, ME-TV, which were over the air before the DTV switch messed up reception, BYU-TV, EWTN, FamilyNet, DIY Network, Disney, and sometimes ESPN, out of those BYU-TV and EWTN are provided to carriers at no charge. Right now most of the stuff I get I never look at, and with the way my promo works I am only paying $18 a month for TV (about $40 off) includes 2 TVs and whole house DVR, and getting a discount of another $10 on my phone and internet because I have TV.
 
wovel said:
Thanks, I see now they spun them off in 2009. Why would anyone willingly maintain an association with a cable company? I am only half kidding. Of all the companies people hate giving their money to, cable companies are pretty high on the list.

This actually makes my idea more plausible. Especially with the planned spin-off of Time at the end of 2013. TW becomes a pure media company just waiting to be acquired.
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I love the Internet. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-15-most-disliked-companies-in-america.html?page=all

Half of the top 15 most hated companies are cable companies. TWC is listed as Time Warner. Time Warner inc should have done a name change when they spun off the cable business.
 
I think I will stick with WatchESPN on my Xbox for now. The ATV version doesn't let you set your favorite teams. On the Xbox, I get a feed of just my teams with all the highlights and replays. And there's no ability to quickly switch between games and no split screen. All and all, it is a pretty basic feature set that doesn't even compare to the Xbox version.
 
Man.. I'm so p'd off that Direct TV is not supported on the ATV.

It's supported on the iPad/iPhone, but not the TV?? WTF! I can airplay the iPad signal (although at a sh***y resolution) but I can't watch it as it was meant to be watched?

That's just asking for unloyalty. I would think many media and communication companies would've learned from ATT's mistakes with their long time customers.
 
Small White Car said:
One can enjoy watching HBO on the same TV as before but with a different remote?
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Its a little more than that: HBO GO has far more selections of movies and shows than HBO On-Demand. For example, The Newsroom is not (currently) available on HBO On-Demand, but the entire series is available via HBO GO.

There are a couple of other advantages: You can start watching a movie or show on your TV, and then finish watching the rest on your iPad or laptop later. Also, I personally found (just tried out the AppleTV version) that navigating HBO GO much, much easier than HBO On-Demand, which was frequently quite "laggy."
 
smithrh said:
Actually, I suspect it's DirecTV being the dolt for those of you that have them.

DirecTV has, in their mind, a competing system for content like HBO GO and Watch ESPN. Allowing ATV access will show people how useless their offering is, and at the same time, bypass data collection that currently flows through DirecTV.

Since their new CEO took over, DirecTV has gone downhill. Lots of emphasis on cost savings, customers be damned. They used to be the clear leader in HD and DVRs, I doubt that's the case now.
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This is through Charter. ESPN works fine though.

Also, New Glarus!!! Love their stuff.
 
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