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HBO’s ‘Avenue 5’ asks what happens if tech bros conquer space
If you thought that HBO was done mocking technology companies now that Silicon Valley is done, think again. Avenue 5 is the channel's new sitcom, and one that asks the question: "What if tech bros were in charge of more than just our internet histories?'" The answer, at least according to the first half of the season, is that it won't be pretty -- or safe.
'Westworld' season 3 premieres March 15th
Westworld's third season will hit HBO and HBO Go on March 15th, according to a tweet from the show's official Twitter account. HBO also released a new trailer that predicts several dystopic decades for humanity around the subject of "divergence." It starts with current issues like the Hong Kong protests and Trump impeachment, then moves on to more ominous future events including a third Russian revolution.
Apple signs former HBO chief to a five-year deal
Apple is clearly ready to make a long-term commitment to streaming TV. The tech giant has struck a deal with former HBO chief Richard Plepler's company Eden Productions to produce movies, shows and documentaries for Apple TV+ over the next five years. There are no clues as to what Eden will make for Apple, but Variety understands the focus is on a small amount of "high-profile" content rather than flooding Apple with shows.
Streaming won't get easier or cheaper
After years of declining cable subscriptions, the bundle is back. Smaller bundles at slightly lower prices, sure, but still bundles. While Netflix had some competition from Amazon and Hulu when it came to one-price-fits-all streaming in the past, the last quarter of this year has been a whirlwind of launches with just Disney+ and Apple TV+ alone.
We need more tech satire like HBO's 'Silicon Valley'
When Silicon Valley premiered in 2014, it came out swinging as the Office Space of our time: a hilarious and sometimes all-too-real reflection of a tech industry high on its own supply. Over the past five years, the show, created by Mike Judge (Office Space, King of the Hill) and Alex Berg (Barry), lampooned everything from VC Peter Thiel's curious interest in young-blood transfusions to the smugness of Tesla owners. And it did so while weaving a dense (if often crude) tapestry of humor. Who could forget the legendary -- and mathematically sound -- dick-joke algorithm from the first season's finale?
Roku will stream the first season of 'Game of Thrones' for free
If you and your nearest and dearest have been meaning to check out Game of Thrones but haven't gotten around to it yet (or don't have an HBO subscription), you can stream the first season for free on Roku over the holiday season. The monstrously popular series' first 10 episodes will be available at no cost during Roku's second annual Stream-a-thon, which runs December 26th to January 1st.
Watch the first trailer for HBO's 'Avenue 5' sci-fi space comedy
Avenue 5, HBO's new sci-fi comedy, debuts in January, and HBO has released the first teaser to get you excited. The show is about the cruise ship Avenue 5, led by the acerbic Captain Ryan Clark, played by Hugh Laurie. All seems to be pleasant and delightful until an as-yet unforeseen disaster causes mayhem and panic that the crew scrambles to resolve.
'Westworld' season three teaser brings us to Silicon Valley
While the first two Westworld seasons were centered around the use of AI and robotics technology at a sort of vacation getaway, the teaser revealed tonight turns the lens back toward Silicon Valley tech giants. In a promotion linked to the Wired 25 event, the trailer links to a company "Incite Inc." that will apparently feature somehow in the show's third season, which is scheduled to air on HBO in 2020 -- just in time for the launch of HBO Max. The fictional company follows previous Westworld promos we've seen at events like SXSW by having a booth at the event and sponsoring a rooftop cocktail reception.
AT&T's new unlimited phone plans drop WatchTV
AT&T is shuffling up its phone plans once again, and this time the focus won't surprise anyone. It's introducing a trio of unlimited plans where the top tier, Unlimited Elite, will include HBO at first, and HBO Max when it debuts in May 2020 -- it wants to be sure you're streaming all those original shows on day one. The Elite plan will also be the only tier to allow HD streaming out of the gate, and will pack 30GB of full-speed mobile hotspot data. It'll be available in the "coming weeks" for $50 per line with four lines, or slightly more expensive than today's Unlimited&More Premium ($48 per line with four lines).
HBO announces 'Game of Thrones' spin-off 'House of the Dragon'
To close out its big HBO Max presentation -- the service will launch in May 2020 with a $14.99 per month price -- execs revealed that the flagship HBO show Game of Thrones will get a new spin-off based on Fire & Blood. House of the Dragon is a spin-off produced by author George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal, which is set 300 years prior to the events of the first show. Miguel Sapochnik, who directed the "Battle of the Bastards" episode will serve as co-showrunner, as well as directing the pilot and additional episodes. The show is initially set for a 10-episode run, and is a part of Sapochnik's overall deal to create shows for HBO and HBO Max. In a statement, HBO programming president Casey Bloys said "The Game of Thrones universe is so rich with stories. We look forward to exploring the origins of House Targaryen and the earlier days of Westeros along with Miguel, Ryan and George."
HBO Max will cost $14.99, and is a free upgrade to HBO Now subscribers
After two hours of listing content for the new HBO Max service and showing how its apps work, execs revealed the price when it launches in May next year will be $14.99 per month. If you're an AT&T customer with HBO, then it will be included for free, while TV, mobile and internet bundle customers will also get free access. You'll sign in with the same AT&T credentials used for your other accounts, and it will preload the app on AT&T Android phones.
HBO Max will launch in May 2020 with 'curated by humans' push
After Disney+ and Apple TV+ launch, the next big new streaming service will be HBO Max. At a presentation for investors today, AT&T revealed the service will launch in May next year, including the "entire HBO service and library," as well exclusive original content as well as a "choice slate" of acquired and library programming. The company also said it will avoid "binge and burn" by releasing new shows on a weekly basis, with plans for 50 new originals by the end of its first year. Initially it will be available to existing AT&T HBO subscribers for free, and in 2021 it will have an ad-supported option. Update: After two hours, execs announced the price will be $14.99 per month. Prior to a Q&A session, it closed announcements with news of a new Game of Thrones spin-off dubbed House of the Dragon.
HBO Max may get a cheaper, ad-supported tier in 2021
HBO Max is scheduled to arrive in the spring, and some more details have emerged ahead of a formal announcement about pricing and other information on Tuesday. There may be a cheaper, ad-supported version of the service on the way in 2021, according to a Reuters report, with live programming earmarked to start after that.
Four new 'Adventure Time' specials are heading to HBO Max
Just one week after it secured the rights to Studio Ghibli's back catalog, WarnerMedia's HBO Max has landed another much-loved animated franchise. Starting next year, the streaming service will be the exclusive home of four new Adventure Time specials, reports Variety.
The ‘Silicon Valley’ season six trailer skewers the past year in tech
HBO released the trailer for the 6th and final season of Silicon Valley, and it feels like a real-life recap of the past year or so. Richard Hendricks, CEO of Pied Piper, testifies in front of lawmakers, mirroring Mark Zuckerberg's trainwreck appearances in Washington DC. And what would a parody of recent start-up culture be without a subplot focused on an ill-conceived festival?
HBO will display mental health notices ahead of some shows
The warnings shown before movies or TV episodes typically focus on violence or other graphic material which viewers might find upsetting. However, these warnings don't always address more complex issues like mental health. HBO wants to change this by displaying "bumpers" before episodes which portray characters experiencing mental health issues, giving viewers information about accessing available support services.
HBO moves 'Sesame Street' to its more expensive Max service
The streaming-rights war rages on, with beloved children's show Sesame Street being the latest title caught up in the custody battles (sort of). After securing a five-year deal for the exclusive streaming rights to the show in 2015, HBO was the only place you could watch new episodes for the first nine months after they aired. Following that period, you'd be able to also watch them on PBS. Deadline is reporting that a new agreement announced today would make Sesame Street's entire 50-year library available online. Episodes that were previously on HBO will be moved to HBO Max along with the entire existing collection -- that's more than 4,500 episodes, although it's not clear how many of these will be available to watch at the same time. The exclusive rights also cover annual specials and character-driven short-form collections.
Why are there so many TV streaming services?
The days of television streaming with limited choices are long gone. The list of options grows longer almost daily, and some big names have plans to launch new services that will further silo the content you want to watch. Exclusives are the new streaming currency, and to get everything you desire, you have to hand over a lot more money than you probably want to.
HBO Max will be the only place to stream ‘Big Bang Theory’
HBO Max is snatching up content ahead of its launch in the spring of 2020. After announcing that Friends -- one of Netflix's most-streamed shows -- would become an HBO Max exclusive, the Warner-owned service announced that it would be home to The Big Bang Theory as well. This is the first streaming contract for the show, and it'll last for five years.
Apple can make TV+ ubiquitous through brute force
Apple CEO Tim Cook didn't waste any time at the company's 2019 iPhone event. One of the first announcements he made was that Apple's highly anticipated video-streaming service, Apple TV+, will launch November 1st for $4.99 per month. Since introducing it in March, Apple has teased a number of the originals that will be exclusive to Apple TV+, including series such as For All Mankind, The Morning Show and Dickinson. And while Apple has managed to get plenty of A-list celebrities to join its push into original content (like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Jason Momoa), that may not even be the company's best weapon as it takes on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon and, soon, Disney.
