HBO Now Officially Launches

7 Apr, 2015 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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HBO’s highly anticipated over-the-top video service — HBO Now — has formally launched.

As previously reported, HBO Now is available directly through Apple or Cablevision’s Optimum Online for a monthly subscription of $14.99. Unlike HBO Go, no compatible HBO subscription with a pay-TV service is required. New subscribers in April get a free 30-day trial period.

The arrival of HBO Now marks the first significant new domestic SVOD competitor to Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video and Hulu Plus. CBS-owned Showtime is expected to launch a SVOD service this year.

HBO Now will be available as an add-on to Sling TV before the premiere of the fifth season of "Game of Thrones" on April 12. HBO Now subs will have access to every episode of every season HBO original programming, Hollywood movies, HBO Films, documentaries, sports, and comedy and music specials.

HBO Now’s portfolio of more 2,000 titles includes series such as “True Detective,” “Silicon Valley,” “Girls,” “Veep,” “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” and “The Leftovers,” in addition to catalog series “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “True Blood,” “The Wire” and “Deadwood.”

In addition, HBO Now subs have instant access to movies such as Divergent, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Neighbors, Godzilla and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

HBO, which is owned by Time Warner, said it continues to be in discussions with its existing network of distributors and new digital partners to offer the OTT service.

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