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HBO, Netflix wave off streaming rumors
Slow down, Watch Instantly fans, both HBO and Netflix are at least claiming there have been no talks about setting up a "premium tier" resembling a question posed in a recent survey. Multichannel News confirmed with Netflix the survey was real so we'll keep a seat open next to Starz just in case, so hey, if Showtime or epix is looking for a partner we've got a great idea for you.
Netflix considering premium price tiers for additional streaming content?
Look, some people are perfectly content to swap a DVD with Netflix once a millenia and watch Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer in Ladyhawke on their Xbox 360 -- other people demand something a bit more "hip" on their Instant Watch queue. Netflix is apparently investigating the possibility of an additional $10 monthly fee to watch HBO shows and movies on the streaming service, or at least has a poll to that effect. For people that keep cable around just for things like HBO and Showtime, it's an attractive proposition, and perhaps a bit of an inevitability, but at $10 a month we'd expect Netflix to toss in a bit more premium content than just what one channel has to offer. What's clear is that either way, people are going to find a way to watch this stuff online, and the first provider to figure out the right way to monetize and distribute it wins. This seems like a tentative step in the right direction, if it comes to pass.
Verizon, Bright House Networks providing gratis coverage of HBO's inaugural coverage
Neither Verizon nor Bright House Networks can provide those oh-so-snazzy interactive mix channels like DirecTV and DISH Network can, but what they -- along with a few other providers, most likely -- can do is provide free access to HBO for a day. This Sunday (that's tomorrow for the continental US, the day after tomorrow for Point Hope, AK, Kihei, HI and surrounding areas), FiOS TV and BHN digital TV subscribers will all be given a fee-free look at HBO's exclusive live broadcast of the "We Are One: The Obama Inauguration Celebration" concert from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Better still, both carriers are providing HD feeds for those looking for the best in clarity (read: you), and those scouting the full lineup of artists and speakers can find just that in the links below. Trust us, this is like a hundred million times better than trying to get within 50 miles of The District this weekend.Read - Verizon announcementRead - Bright House Networks announcementRead - Time Warner Cable announcementUpdate: Turns out, HBO's letting anyone with a STB tune in gratis. Classy move.
Cablevision's probable VOOM HD replacement channels: they're all premiums
Okay, so Cablevision isn't apt to come right out and say that these newcomers are the replacements for the 15 VOOM HD networks that were marked for deletion late last year, but it may as well have. Coincidentally, 15 new high-def channels are reportedly lined up to join the Cablevision EPG in short order, though every single one is a premium movie channel. Encore HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Edge HD, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, HBO2 HD, HBO Latino HD, Action Max HD, More Max HD, @MAX HD, Outer MAX HD and Showtime Too HD are all expected to show up starting on January 21st, with rollouts continuing across all markets until January 23rd. We know, your first reaction is probably something along the lines of "What? All movie channels?," but at least you're getting something out of the deal -- if you opt to pay up, of course. [Thanks, LI PC Tech]
HBO survey hints at free streaming for pay-TV subscribers
It's not like HBO has yet to dangle its feet in the online delivery waters, but we've yet to see a bona side streaming service from the channel that does it justice. According to a recent e-Rewards survey, all that could be changing. The questionnaire contained information about the network's plans to "offer online streaming of programming free for people who subscribe to HBO through their cable provider." Better still, the inquiries were geared more towards a naming convention -- "HBO Click," "HBO Select," "HBO on Broadband," "HBO GO," "HBO To Go," and "HBO Online" -- hinting that the groundwork may have already been laid. If HBO can figure out how to deliver Entourage and the like to paying customers online within 24 hours of programs airing live, we can't help but think at least a few more folks would pony up each month to dive in.[Thanks, Steve]
Pacquiao vs. de la Hoya bout marks the launch of Event TV HD
While you and your crew kick in a few bucks to catch the Pacquiao / de la Hoya fight tonight, keep in mind you're witnessing the launch of a new network, Event TV HD. The new high definition version of TVN's linear Pay-Per-View net promises to bring boxing, MMA and wrestling action in crisp 1080i and 5.1 surround. That usually includes All Day Event tickets if you want to see a replay, or themed programs during the week. TVN sells its package to cable, satellite and other providers who then pass the PPV on to you, so when Pacman takes this, remember who was responsible for bringing it to you.[Via Multichannel News]
More HBO / Cinemax feeds being added to U-verse?
We know AT&T just unloaded 30 new high-def channels, but we're seeing reports from all across U-verse nation that even more premiums are popping up. We're hearing that some folks now have a Coming Soon screen for a variety of HBO and Cinemax feeds, mostly derived from the west coast. Some of the mentions include 5MaxHD, WMaxHD, HBOFHW, HBOSHW, HBOCHW, HBOZHW, HBOLHW, MMAXHW, ACTMHW and TMAXHW. Anyone else seeing the same? Different?[Via U-Talk Forums, thanks Anthony]
DirecTV goes live with HD service in Latin America
So, that's what those HBO HD ads down in Latin America were all about, huh? As of this week, DirecTV is now taking orders for HD service in Latin America, and reportedly, those that sign up can receive an HD DVR capable of storing 400 hours of SD or 100 hours of high-def footage. Initially, there will only be four high-definition channels available (HBO HD, Movie City HD, Fox HD and DirecTV HD), but we suppose you've got to start somewhere. Has anyone down that way signed up? How's the image / audio quality?[Thanks, Eduardo]Read - DirecTV launching in Latin AmericaRead - DirecTV's official HD site (Peru)
HBO HD coming soon to Latin America?
Our Spanish is a touch rusty, but based on these images (two more after the break), we'd say that planned HBO HD launch in Latin America is all but imminent. According to a tipster, he captured these images of an HBO HD advertisement while watching The WB. Beyond that, we've really no idea what's going on nor when the channel will finally launch, but we're guessing you don't just run ads for something you don't plan on taking live soon.[Thanks, Takuru]
Bell TV launches HBO Canada (yes, in HD)
Time to party down, Bell TV customers. Your television provider just announced that it will add HBO Canada in SD and HD to its lineup on October 30th. Also of note, the channel will be offered on secondary SD and HD slots which will deliver the same programming with a two-hour time difference (okay?). HBO Canada will be included with all Bell TV subscriptions to The Movie Network or Movie Central at no extra cost, and hey -- just in time for Halloween, too!
HBO wants you to take their PAX swag
Just as we did with our mountain of PAX swag, the HBO crew has been bitten by the generous bug and is giving away their swag stash to a few loyal Halo fanboys. Someone just like you. But you'll have to do some work (and reading) if you have any chance of winning their coveted PAX swag. Up for grabs in HBO's Take Our Stuff Contest are a few t-shirts, mugs, Bungie goodies and some signed pieces of artwork including a Jen Taylor autographed pic of Cortana. RaWr! To enter, send team HBO a link (no attachments!) of a photo or vid depicting something humorous, clever or beautiful that has to do with the Halo'verse. Entries must be received by September 22nd, so leap on over to HBO for all the contest deets and entry specifics. Be sure to tell them X3F says "HI!"
Cinemax going 100% high-definition on September 1st
We already knew that Home Box Office was champing at the bit to rid itself of anything less than pure, unadulterated (okay, maybe just a little bit) HD, and now the outfit is announcing that its Cinemax channel will be going 100% high-def on September 1st. Granted, we're talking about the main channel only here, but this fall / winter is shaping up to be a good one for Cinemax HD. Subscribers will see the pay-TV premieres of The Bourne Ultimatum, Rendition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Darjeeling Limited, and in the near future, viewers will see I Am Legend, Juno, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem and In The Valley of Elah. Of note, the release states that "true HD (1080i)" won't begin until September 6th -- odd, but we suppose a few extra days won't kill us. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Inside the NFL switching to HD on Showtime
For years, we've wondered why Inside the NFL, with its sweet NFL Films footage and in depth coverage of one of the best sports to watch in high definition, was stuck in SD; but the show's move to Showtime has remedied that. TV Week reveals the upcoming season will be produced for your HDTV, the only proper format considering we get the games live in HD and daily highlights on ESPN-HD, why should a weekly magazine show be any different? If you miss an episode Wednesday night at 9 p.m. (starting September 10), expect plenty of opportunities to see it again with about 10 replays per week, hosted by Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms and James Brown plus a series of guest hosts. Thanks Showtime, for letting HBO know how things should be done -- seriously, Bill Maher going HD first should have been a crime.
HBO just added to iTunes, some episodes cost $2.99
That was quick. Just yesterday I wrote about the rumored addition of HBO shows to the iTunes Store and today they show up on iTunes. The following HBO shows are now available on iTunes, though some of the episodes cost more than $1.99: The Wire Flight of the Conchords Rome The Sopranos Sex and the City Deadwood Episodes of the Sopranos, Rome, and Deadwood all cost $2.99 while the rest of the series are priced at the typical $1.99. Looks like Apple is a little more open to flexible pricing on television shows than they used to be.Thanks, howie.
Official: HBO arrives on iTunes, standard pricing be damned
It's official. HBO content just entered the digital halls of iTunes with variable pricing. Episodes of Rome and The Sopranos pop for $2.99 while The Wire and Sex and the City (yes the complete series) go for the iTunes "standard" pricing of $1.99. We just fired-up iTunes and confirmed it just like the rumor predicted. With Apple backing down from its strict, flat-rate pricing policy, don't be surprised to see additional content from previously iTunes-shy providers arriving in succession.Update: Deadwood ($2.99) and Flight of the Conchords ($1.99) are also available with "much more" apparently in the works.Update 2: Apple just released the PR.[Thanks, Turki]
Sharp eyes spot downloadable TV shows in PS3 ad
Click for high resolution image. This might be hard to spot. Click on the image above to see a still frame from a recently released PS3 ad. It goes over all the features of the PS3, such as being able to shop on the PLAYSTATION Store. But look very carefully in the back. This picture of the Store features icons from various TV networks, such as NBC, Cartoon Network, HBO and the CW.Sony has said time and time again that they're interested in delivering video content on the Store. Could this be an indication of what's to come? (Xbox Live Video Marketplace currently offers videos from all of these content providers.) Or, is this an overenthusiastic mock-up?Check out the original trailer, after the cut.[Thanks, Anthony S.!]
Apple flexes on flexible pricing? HBO iTunes deal rumored, NBC hits the UK
It looks like Apple might finally ready to give up its demands for straight up and down $1.99 TV show pricing on iTunes. If you'll remember, Apple and NBC had quite the squabble over price flexibility and margins last year, and some other show providers have held off providing content until they can get a more favorable deal from Apple. It seems one of those content holders was HBO, with word on the street that Apple is finally going to bow to desires for flexible pricing, and has signed up HBO to kick things off. Apple has also in recent months added NBC Universal shows to its UK store with variable pricing, which might be a sign that a return to the US store isn't far off.[Via Silicon Valley Insider]
HBO might be coming to iTunes, with flexible pricing
Portfolio.com is reporting that you might soon be able to find Tony Soprano in the iTunes Store. HBO, the premium cable channel known for its original programming, is in talks with Apple to add HBO programming to the iTunes Store.This is good news for fans of HBO shows, but the real story here is the deal that HBO has reportedly managed to wrangle out of Apple. Portfolio's sources say that Apple has agreed to flexible pricing for HBO, which might mean we'll have to pay more than $1.99 per episode for that content. This is the structure that NBC, and many other studios, would love but Apple has been resistant to it in the past.Before you go crazy, please note that flexible pricing might mean something other than paying more for the shows: Apple might give HBO a bigger cut of the profits from the flat $1.99. Only time will tell, since HBO insiders say that HBO's inclusion in the iTunes Store will be announced and launched at the same time.Note: HBO and TUAW both have the same corporate overlords, but that doesn't mean we have any inside information.
Cinemassively: Molotov Alva machinima contest
Last year, Douglas Gayeton made the headlines as Molotov Alva, the avatar that lived his life in Second Life. The series, of which only episode one was released so far, was sold to HBO for a whopping $200,000 USD. Now Cinemax is finally ready to air it, but first, they want to hold a machinima contest!Machinimators have from now until May 18th to enter. However, it looks like a popularity contest, as the community gets to vote for the top 10 finalists, with Cinemax choosing the top three. There are $3,500 USD in prizes being given away, though! For complete rules, check out the official contest page on Machinima.com.[Thanks to everyone who submitted this!]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
HBO Latin America Group gears up for HD launch
We already heard HBO's CEO Bill Nelson proclaim that all 26 of its channels would soon be airing in HD, but today we've received confirmation that those parked in Latin America will also be enjoying the spoils. Motorola has announced that it will be adding multiple MPEG-4 AVC encoding channels at the HBO Latin America Group digital transmission facility in Florida, which will enable "rapid deployment of HBO's new HD services." According to HBO's Pierre Jaspar, it has seen "marked acceleration in demand" for HD programming in the Latin America region, and while we're not given specific dates, carriers, etc., it seems safe to assume more of the aforementioned region will soon be seeing HBO in high-def.
