HBO Confirms Negotiations to Allow Fox and Universal to Participate in iCloud for Movies

[Cory Bauer]

If Apple can get 2 or maybe 3 major networks on board, CBS is really not necessary.

Now since all the other networks are not saying they turned down Apple's offer, I think they are either still negotiating or ready to make a deal... hopefully.

Who's going to buy a brand new tv that only gets two or maybe three networks?

 

[foodog]

Now start offering the HBO series via Apple TV within a reasonable time after that air.

 

[RobNYC]

I'd be happy if they just brought HBO GO to the TV

Yes, I'd rather they do that.

 

[charlituna]

If this means that with Apple products you can view GLOBALLY these TV networks, it sounds good idea.

It has zero to do with the network.

Here's the deal. HBO paid a pants load of money to say Fox, Universal and Warner Brothers to get the exclusive TV rights to a bunch of movies. Things like the Harry Potters, Avatar, All the Dreamworks annie films etc. Even perhaps to the point of having them removed to buy on things like iTunes and Amazon in a digital form. And no Netflix Watch Instantly. This would be for a period of time like all of 2012.

But there are folks that bought say the Harry Potters or Avatar off iTunes before this deal was signed. So right now, access to those films would be cut off by terms of the deal. No downloading it again if your hard drive crashes, no streaming to your Apple TV.

Fox etc want folks to be able to redownload their previous purchases and is asking HBO to lighten up and allow that. HBO has said they are willing to sit down and talk about it and consider it.

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While I'd be first in line for ala carte HBO, it seriously doubt that they'd charge only $12/mo. I'd guess more like 25-30.

I would pay as much as $30/month for being able to subscribe to HBO Go on my iPad and Apple TV without paying the $70 Time Warner wants for basic cable. Same for Showtime.

Even better, put the dang shows up to season pass as they air or at least after the last episode is over. Rather than this wait for six months for them to post a pass that is just a half dozen behind the scenes teasers and in another six months the eps finally turn up

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You're probably right. Although, Paramount, Warner Bros and Disney were able to get their ducks in a row prior to the announcement.

Not all of them. Those companies have select titles that are under the same restraints.

 

[johnnyrb]

It doesn't, but contract wording can be an issue. HBO's contract with Universal and Fox may say something along the lines that "HBO has exclusive streaming and over the air download on these titles". iCloud, while not streaming per se, could be viewed as a violation of that contract. However, as you said, HBO has nothing to loose by reworking the contract to allow for iCloud and similar services.

Also, in response to some of the other conversations, I never once got HBO, but if they gave me the option to download an app and subscribe to them directly (not going through a cable company) I would hop on it! I've already dropped cable for Netflix Streaming, Hulu Plus and iTunes. Add HBO Go and I would be a happy panda!

I no longer subscribe to Netflix or Hulu Plus. I would subscribe to an iTunes plan only if I could could subscribe to specific networks instead of having to pay for channels that I never watch such as religious, political, commentary, informational and shopping channels.