As promised, HBO has launched its stand-alone premium streaming service HBO Now, which will give fans access to HBO programming without needing a cable or satellite subscription. The service is now available on Apple products, as well as Cablevision’s Optimum Online service.
The launch of HBO Now has been at least two years in the making. Back in March 2013, HBO CEO Richard Plepler first teased that the Time Warner-owned network would make HBO Go available for those who had cut the cord already. Then, in December 2014, reports began surfacing that the stand-alone service would launch this April, just in time for the fifth season of Game of Thrones. HBO and Apple formally announced HBO Now last month, confirming that the service would be available on Apple TV. It will also be available on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
HBO Now will also be available for Cablevision’s Optimum Online customers, but only if they have an Apple TV or iOS device to use it with.
The service will cost $14.99 a month and new customers will get a 30-day free trial period.
In addition to shows like Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, True Detective and Girls, past HBO shows will also be available. You can also stream movies that HBO has access to, like Divergent, Godzilla and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
HBO didn’t say when HBO Now will be available on other devices, like Roku or Playstation 4, but hopefully it won’t be a long wait.
Game of Thrones’ new season starts on Sunday night.
image of Peter Dinklage courtesy of INFphoto.com