Boxee CEO: Someone Will Offer Subscription Internet TV in 2012 → Re: What about Dishnetwork?

The point being you have to already be a Dish subscriber. Let me know when someone offers their service as an online only package.

HBO is making the same mistake with HBOGo and ESPN is messing up with WatchESPN.

That is the rub. I bet Dish, and the cable companies would offer a split package deal. But the question is, would hollywood allow them to?
I think it's a mistake on hollywoods part, not to allow them to. I would love an internet only connection, where I wouldn't need a DVR. Just log into my providers site and start watching TV during the times that I want to. Granted, I'll still have to watch the ads, but at least it will be during the time I want to.
I very seldom watch programming when it is broadcasted. I'll watch it about 3 to 5 days later.

One reason why I am a fan of netflix.

HBO didn't want to do it the way they are now. Originally HBOGO was "supposed" to be an independent subscription service, where you could circumvent the cable operators and pay HBO directly for their content.

When the cable companies got wind of this, they told HBO that if you do this, we will drop your channels from our systems. With that threat, HBOGO is now what you see today. You can only get it, IF you already subscribe to HBO through a supported provider.