Ever since last fall’s announcement about standalone HBO, many of us been fantasizing about kicking our cable boxes to the curb (preferably from a fifth-story window). Now Variety reports that the service, newly dubbed HBO Now, will be available starting next month. Despite this good news, we’ve had hints that nothing as perfect as HBO’s original programming can exist without some kind of catch. And so, HBO rolled out its Faustian bargain: for $14.99 a month, subscribers will be able to enjoy HBO Now’s “standalone” service—provided they have an Apple TV, iPad, or iPhone.
HBO CEO Richard Plepler broke the news at today’s Apple’s press event. “All you need to get HBO Now is a broadband connection and an Apple device,” said Plepler. “When you subscribe to HBO NOW you will have access to all our acclaimed original programming — past, present and future — as well as our unmatched lineup of Hollywood blockbusters.”
For those of you who don’t become physically ill at the prospect of bringing Apple hardware into your home, HBO Now promises that it will be available in time for the season premiere of Game Of Thrones on April 12. And for those who demand the dignity of streaming Real Sex via your Linux Ubuntu home-media server, HBO hasn’t yet made any comments to contradict its previous, totally chill stance regarding sharing HBO Go passwords.
Meanwhile, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and DirecTV would like to remind you that, after nine beers, episodes of Swamp People and 19 Kids And Counting can totally pass as legitimate entertainment.