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HBO Go Comes to Amazon Fire TV (Unless You Have Comcast)

HBO Go this week announced that the streaming service has been made available to Amazon Fire TV owners today, with Fire Stick customers having access to the app sometime in the Spring. Of course if you head to activate your device, you'll find that Comcast and Charter aren't supported. Why the companies are blocking a relatively uncomplicated app and authentication service isn't clear. Amazon says that negotiations are ongoing.

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"We’d love to provide HBO Go for Comcast customers on Fire TV and encourage those customers to reach out to Comcast for further information on availability," is all Amazon spokepeople would say about the matter.

Comcast isn't commenting whatsoever. Comcast has been a stumbling block for HBO Go availability for some time; users have been complaining since 2011 that the cable giant doesn't allow HBO Go to work on Roku if you're a Comcast cable subscriber. Comcast was a similar hurdle when HBO Go launched on the Playstation 3.

When pressed, Comcast will only state that technical integration of such functionality takes time. While that might be true, it doesn't take three-plus years worth of time -- suggesting that Comcast's intentionally blocking the functionality. Only this week did news emerge that Comcast and Roku have finally struck a deal some three years later, only after merger critics brought it up as an example of bad Comcast behavior.
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amarryat
Verizon FiOS
join:2005-05-02
Marshfield, MA

amarryat

Member

Sounds like the FTC should become involved

I just read about this the other day. I had no idea HBO Go was blocked by Comcast on the Roku. What technical hurdles does Comcast have? IT's just an internet stream.
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

The technical hurdle is probably that Comcast doesn't want its subs to realize what OTT technology is capable of. Yes, HBO Go requires a cable subscription (for now), but allowing people to get it on a Roku--a device that looks very similar to a cable box or satellite receiver--might get people wondering what else it can do, which might make them start to question the value of their TV subscription.
Chuck_IV
join:2003-11-18
Connecticut

Chuck_IV

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

Directv did the same thing but finally came around about a year or so ago.

therob06
join:2013-04-05
Boston, MA

therob06 to ISurfTooMuch

Member

to ISurfTooMuch
So the response I received is so customers must continue to pay 9.95 per month for a cable box. That's it. Even if you subscribe to HBO through Comcast, you still need a cable box to view it on a TV. On a table or smartphone, no problem with the app
sevenbelow
join:2014-03-21
Roslyn Heights, NY

sevenbelow

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

Many markets are digital only and require a box or dta for all channels, including broadcast basic. Therefore the conlcusion about wanting to keep box rental revenue does not seem valid with regards to their position on HBO Go.
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

said by sevenbelow:

Many markets are digital only and require a box or dta for all channels, including broadcast basic. Therefore the conlcusion about wanting to keep box rental revenue does not seem valid with regards to their position on HBO Go.

But if you consider that someone may choose to attach a Roku to a TV that doesn't already have a cable box, then that would be revenue that Comcast doesn't get (additional box rental).

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One to ISurfTooMuch

MVM

to ISurfTooMuch
said by ISurfTooMuch:

Yes, HBO Go requires a cable subscription (for now)

Just so I understand, the issue here is that HBO Go requires a Cable TV subscription, and Comcast Cable TV subscribers can't authenticate their TV account in order to activate the app on the device. Its not that Comcast is actively blocking the service itself. (directly) Is that correct?
dfxmatt
join:2007-08-21
Crystal Lake, IL

dfxmatt

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

Uh, not exactly.

HBO go relies on your subscription. You have to log in and be authenticated via your TV account. It's not "comcast blocking access to authenticate", it's "there is no option to authenticate as a comcast customer". HBOgo lists the subscription options, and on PC or android you can do HBO go if you are with comcast but on Roku you explicitly cannot.

AnonDude
@97.95.147.x

AnonDude to ISurfTooMuch

Anon

to ISurfTooMuch
said by ISurfTooMuch:

The technical hurdle is probably that Comcast doesn't want its subs to realize what OTT technology is capable of. Yes, HBO Go requires a cable subscription (for now), but allowing people to get it on a Roku--a device that looks very similar to a cable box or satellite receiver--might get people wondering what else it can do, which might make them start to question the value of their TV subscription.

That argument might be better if HBOGO wasn't available via the PC, XBOX 360, XBOX One, PS3, PS4, Chromecast etc etc.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

Roku IS the biggest selling streaming device. Also they only JUST added Chromecast support and I think there will similar unexplained delays with the PS3. There's no good reason why the most popular devices see mysterious delays in implementation.

Roku
@68.42.244.x

Roku to amarryat

Anon

to amarryat
»tvpredictions.com/roku121614.htm

telcodad
MVM
join:2011-09-16
Lincroft, NJ

1 recommendation

telcodad

MVM

HBO Go now available on Roku for Comcast subscribers

Also on the Comcast Voices blog site now:

HBO Go & Showtime Anytime on Roku Players and Roku TV: Now Available for Xfinity TV Customers
»corporate.comcast.com/co ··· ustomers
Jim_in_VA (banned)
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Jim_in_VA (banned)

Member

Re: HBO Go now available on Roku for Comcast subscribers

yep, just activated it on my Roku 3
unclexrico
join:2014-03-28
Brooklyn, NY

unclexrico to amarryat

Member

to amarryat
said by amarryat:

What technical hurdles does Comcast have? IT's just an internet stream.

Comcast wasn't getting paid. Looks like they're going after the device makers too, but they're picking their fights carefully.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

said by unclexrico:

Comcast wasn't getting paid. Looks like they're going after the device makers too, but they're picking their fights carefully.

More likely Comcast is still vetting the security of the login system,
A} that it actually works and
B} that it doesn't leak account details/ or viewer authorizations that MIGHT get charged to Comcast. (they seem pickier about in house testing then some other providers, maybe because the have such a big target painted on their back.

amarryat
Verizon FiOS
join:2005-05-02
Marshfield, MA

amarryat

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

said by tshirt:

said by unclexrico:

Comcast wasn't getting paid. Looks like they're going after the device makers too, but they're picking their fights carefully.

More likely Comcast is still vetting the security of the login system,
A} that it actually works and
B} that it doesn't leak account details/ or viewer authorizations that MIGHT get charged to Comcast. (they seem pickier about in house testing then some other providers, maybe because the have such a big target painted on their back.

Didn't they already let some through, and they authenticated the same way?
unclexrico
join:2014-03-28
Brooklyn, NY

unclexrico to tshirt

Member

to tshirt
said by tshirt:

More likely Comcast is still vetting the security of the login system,
A} that it actually works and
B} that it doesn't leak account details/ or viewer authorizations that MIGHT get charged to Comcast. (they seem pickier about in house testing then some other providers, maybe because the have such a big target painted on their back.

So this list of providers from 2011 wasn't enough for comcast?

»support.roku.com/entries ··· devices-

They are acting as gatekeepers, if this isn't abusing their size and market power I don't know what is.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

said by unclexrico:

...

Just following the pack down the rabbit hole, is what gives us the(when discovered later) wide spread vulnerabilities in many popular platforms today, objective in house testing (and retesting, if needed) can take substantially longer.
there also is little incentive to rush funding/approval of a device that may benefit other more than themselves.
unclexrico
join:2014-03-28
Brooklyn, NY

unclexrico

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

It took this long because they needed to test it?

Thank god they place that kind of love and care into testing things, I couldn't imagine what their billing system was like before they put all that energy into it.
54761437 (banned)
join:2013-01-18
Durham, NC

54761437 (banned) to tshirt

Member

to tshirt
said by tshirt:

said by unclexrico:

...

Just following the pack down the rabbit hole, is what gives us the(when discovered later) wide spread vulnerabilities in many popular platforms today, objective in house testing (and retesting, if needed) can take substantially longer.
there also is little incentive to rush funding/approval of a device that may benefit other more than themselves.

So, you're saying Comcast cares about testing before releasing to market. Sort of like the X1 platform, right? lolol
gaforces (banned)
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA

gaforces (banned) to tshirt

Member

to tshirt
OR, they are removing more nails on the coffin negotiations for the TW buyout before the GOP takes control.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

Then you would think they would be working to remove this restriction ASAP

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx to amarryat

Member

to amarryat
Definitely agree on that. This would be a clear violation of the principle of Net Neutrality. To Comcrap, this should be nothing but DATA and yet they are apparently blocking LEGAL data.

amarryat
Verizon FiOS
join:2005-05-02
Marshfield, MA

amarryat

Member

Re: Sounds like the FTC should become involved

said by n2jtx:

Definitely agree on that. This would be a clear violation of the principle of Net Neutrality. To Comcrap, this should be nothing but DATA and yet they are apparently blocking LEGAL data.

I didn't bring this up because of net neutrality. I brought it up as anti-competitive. But apparently they've worked it out now.
dfxmatt
join:2007-08-21
Crystal Lake, IL

dfxmatt to amarryat

Member

to amarryat
Financial hurdles, not technical. If they were real technical ones they would have given people even the most minute amount of details, like "integration is not going as planned".

Instead, it's things they can't substantiate, called "until we're done abusing our monopoly powers"

hborokuccup
@50.182.138.x

hborokuccup to amarryat

Anon

to amarryat
As of Dec15 hbogo is now avail on systems connected to Comcast thru the Roku.

Gilitar
join:2012-02-01
Mobile, AL

Gilitar

Member

Why the wait for Fire Stick?

Why is it that Fire Stick owners have to wait until spring? It can't be that difficult. Amazon is failing with their Fire TV too...

camper
just visiting this planet
Premium Member
join:2010-03-21
Bethel, CT

camper

Premium Member

New business model for Comcast...

 
Comcast seems to be moving away from the ISP business model of providing a service for the fees that the customers pay.

The new business model that Comcast seems to be moving towards resembles that of a magazine subscription, i.e., Comcast collects the subscription fees from its customers, AND others pay Comcast for access to those subscribers, a.k.a the double-dipping business model.

Comcast was successful in requiring Netflix to pay in order to get access to Comcast's HSI subscribers.

imo, it is just a matter of time before HBO ponies up the appropriate level of cash to gain access to Comcast's HSI subscribers.

Just think how much more Comcastic this will all be when Comcast gains a much higher portion of our Country's HSI subscribers after the TWC merger.....

amarryat
Verizon FiOS
join:2005-05-02
Marshfield, MA

amarryat

Member

Re: New business model for Comcast...

said by camper:

The new business model that Comcast seems to be moving towards resembles that of a magazine subscription, i.e., Comcast collects the subscription fees from its customers, AND others pay Comcast for access to those subscribers, a.k.a the double-dipping business model.

Like the way AOL use to be? Or Compuserve. Nice, let's jump back a generation.

karlmarx
join:2006-09-18
Moscow, ID

karlmarx

Member

The easy solution

The reason you can't register your devices, is that HBO REQUIRES a cable subscription to HBO to get HBO GO, and you can't register to GO if they can't verify you pay for HBO. However, next year, rumor has it that GO will be available without an HBO subscription, and then there won't be any roadblocks to registering your device. The problem is just as much HBO's fault as it is Comcast. If HBO sells GO (and they do in Europe) without requiring and HBO subscription, then everyone wins.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY

Packeteers

Premium Member

what is the monthly hbogo cost?

when added to amazon fire tv's
i can't find this info anywhere yet

nightshade74
Yet another genxer
Premium Member
join:2004-11-06
Prattville, AL

nightshade74

Premium Member

Re: what is the monthly hbogo cost?

Amazon Fire, Roku, Chromecast, etc all allow you to stream content over the internet.

HBO lets you use HBOGO if you have an hbo subscription and a willing cable provider. For example I have Charter -- and can stream HBO content to my Roku or Chromecast.

It doesnt cost anything over and above my subscription.

The rumored pricing for 'standalone' hbo go (without a cable subscription) is $15.

xirian
Premium Member
join:2003-01-26
Beacon, NY

xirian to Packeteers

Premium Member

to Packeteers
You need a cable or satellite subscription with HBO. This isn't the stand alone plan.

DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

DaveDude

Member

nm

nm

davidc502
join:2002-03-06
Mount Juliet, TN

1 edit

davidc502

Member

This is about Punishing HBO --

IMHO, this is about punishing HBO for standing up their own streaming service, thus bypassing cable operators.

I don't think for a second this has anything to do with anything else.

However, this will also punish people on Comcast who own FireTV, and can't get HBO Go. This tactic will backfire, and Comcast frankly IMHO doesn't care.

TIGERON
join:2008-03-11
Boston, MA
Motorola MG7550

TIGERON

Member

great unit too bad ISPs driven by greed trying to slow adoption

If there's a good reason and an option for cord cutters, this is it. Netflix and now amazon have provided streaming TV for those of us that hate cable and the unwanted useless channels being forced upon us that only do we pay for, but we also are forced to watch commercials on those unwanted pay channels that WE PAY FOR.

But here's one fundamental problem : internet service providers driven by greed have decided to imposed usage cap limits and usage-based billing on all internet users. ISPs claim that network congestion has made networks strained and traffic during peak hours is high that this is needed. The reality is that since the United States has either duopolies or monopolies either Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, or Time Warner, there is really no real competition and no incentive by these companies to invest in more broadband deployment everywhere. Instead, these corporations driven by greed are trying to milk and dime for using the internet.

AT&T for example, has a monthly cap on their DSL which is 150 gigabytes charging an additional $10 for every 50 gigs you go over. Now I don't have a problem with this but keep in mind that for a 6MB speed connection, I pay $45 a month. Explain to me how this is good.

The Amazon Fire is a great unit but because the video quality is delivered very good or high, however, if your ISP network is congested with many users, your connection can be throttled at anytime unknown to you which can degrade video quality.

I will say though that if anyone can change the video home entertainment and TV landscape, Netflix, Amazon and Google are leading the way. HBO, CBS, and other networks will soon join the roster. Cable TV unfortunately is a dinosaur that needs to go away. Cord cutting is making that happen and its about time too.

The other thing you all need to know about this device is that it NEVER shuts down. It is always on, always running, and always downloading or updating itself and it's library 24 hours a day. This may not be an issue for those of you that do not have a metered broadband cap in place, but those of us who do, the constant downloading does add up.

Amazon needs to add the software option on this device to be able to shut it down.

For now, I highly recommend unplugging the unit to conserve your bandwidth.

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