 | |
Type of site | Video on demand |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Founded | October 15, 2014 |
| Dissolved | December 17, 2020[1] |
| Successor(s) | Max |
| Headquarters | New York, New York, United States |
| Area served | United States |
| Owner | WarnerMedia |
| Key people | Ann Sarnoff (Chairman, WarnerMedia Studios & Networks Group) |
| Services | OTT streaming service |
| Parent | HBO |
| URL | play |
| Registration | Monthly subscription through authorized distributor required to access content |
| Users | 5 million paying subscribers (2018) |
| Launched | April 7, 2015[2] |
| Current status | App replaced by HBO Max; served as default HBO streaming platform for select digital marketplaces until December 2020 |
HBO Now (formerly named HBO from July 2020) was an American subscription video on demand streaming service for premium television network HBO owned by WarnerMedia subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc. Officially unveiled on March 9 and launched on April 7, 2015,[2] the service allowed subscribers on-demand access to HBO's library of original programs, films and other content on personal computers, smartphones, tablet devices and digital media players.[3] Unlike HBO Go, HBO's online video on demand service for existing subscribers of the linear television channel, HBO Now was available as a standalone service and did not require a television subscription to use, targeting cord cutters who use competing services such as Netflix and Hulu. In February 2018, HBO Now had 5 million subscribers.[4]
HBO Now was succeeded on May 27, 2020 by HBO Max, a new DTC service that also includes content from Warner Bros. and other WarnerMedia properties. Subscribers of the linear HBO television service and HBO Now were able to migrate to HBO Max at no additional cost, although some providers did not immediately reach such agreements (Amazon did not reach an agreement until mid-November, while Roku would not reach a deal until mid-December 2020). The "HBO Now" branding was dropped at the end of July, while the service and app remained available for Roku OS and select TiVo users; support for the HBO streaming app was formally sunset on December 17, 2020, when Roku replaced it with HBO Max.[1]
- ^ a b Tim Baysinger (December 16, 2020). "HBO Max Finally Agrees to Deal With Roku Ahead of 'Wonder Woman 1984' Debut". The Wrap. The Wrap Media Group.
- ^ a b Baumgartner, Jeff (April 7, 2015). "'HBO Now' Goes Live". Multichannel News. NewBay Media.
- ^ "HBO Now coming in April for $14.99 per month, Apple TV price cut to $69". The Verge. Vox Media. March 9, 2015.
- ^ "HBO's Online Channel Surpasses 5 Million U.S. Subscribers". Bloomberg. February 2018.