As mentioned above, HBO would rather require users to subscribe to cable services AND their services, rather than for people who have "cut the cord" but would still like to enjoy HBO contents, and are more than willing to pay a reasonable premium for the privilege.
Sigh. Oh well. I'll just 'watch it at a friends house' gratis
Will you take a pay cut? Neither will cable companies.
If they can get with the times they would not have to take a pay cut.. in fact, they might actually be able to get a raise out of it