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User Survey Hints at HBO Now Price Reduction

While users generally like that HBO's now offering a standalone streaming service in HBO Now, users still aren't quite sure about that $15 price tag. Fortunately for them, there's indications the service may be in for a price cut. A survey making the rounds suggests that HBO's tinkering with a few promotional price reductions.

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Those changes include offering the streaming service for $30 for 3 months, $60 for 6 months, or $100 for 12 months. That would reduce the cost of HBO Now to $10 per month under the 3 and 6 month plans, and $8.33 under the 12 month plan.

Overall public response to (and performance of) HBO Now has been positive, but users fairly consistently point to Netflix's $9 per month price point as a better value. Of course if you want 4K content and multiple streams (like HBO Now) you'll need to pony up $12 a month.

Factor that in, and HBO's proposed changes would largely meet Netflix on price, unless you're one of the millions of Netflix users whose rates are grandfathered (for now).

Another option HBO has yet to explore is to offer HBO Now as a discount when offered by broadband service providers. Companies like Cablevision are selling the service at the same $15 price point as Apple at the moment, but the ISP has been doing its best to reach out to cord cutters.

An interesting wrinkle would be to offer the service at a discount, packaged alongside standalone broadband service.
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OldschoolDSL
Premium Member
join:2006-02-23
Indian Orchard, MA

1 edit

1 recommendation

OldschoolDSL

Premium Member

Needs Linux Support

Netflix offers native Linux support when using Google Chrome. I don't have to trick Netflix into thinking I'm using Windows or Mac, nor do I need to play 'whack-a-mole" regarding that.

My Grandpa (he's 97) now uses Linux, as does my mother (she's 58), as does my nieces (15, 12, 6) and of course that means my sister and her husband (31, 35). And they're not alone.

Linux plays games (Steam) and can open any Microsoft Office document, including Apple documents too. Hardware support is just as competitive... Long gone are the days when I needed to hunt for a driver. So like it or not, there is a new game in town.

A lot of people I know left Windows when Windows Vista came out. Even more left after the release of Windows 8 / 8.1. And with Windows 10 all but requiring a Microsoft Account to benefit almost anything it offers, plus the the complete layout change again..... Linux is what I've been installing on people's NEW and OLD PC's.

Usually Debian flavored (Debian / Ubuntu / Mint), but OpenSuSe is also something that I'm finding people wanting.

Like it or not... Linux is gaining ground. The last time someone needed help with Windows was December 2014.

ev
@rr.com

ev

Anon

Re: Needs Linux Support

Something something DRM

OldschoolDSL
Premium Member
join:2006-02-23
Indian Orchard, MA

OldschoolDSL

Premium Member

Re: Needs Linux Support

If Netflix can do it, so can anyone else.

I use Google Chrome for Linux without any issues or any extra programs. It's fully native support.
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

decifal7 to OldschoolDSL

Member

to OldschoolDSL
said by OldschoolDSL:

The last time someone needed help with Windows was December 2014.

That actually sounds good for windows :-p

OldschoolDSL
Premium Member
join:2006-02-23
Indian Orchard, MA

OldschoolDSL

Premium Member

Re: Needs Linux Support

said by decifal7:

said by OldschoolDSL:

The last time someone needed help with Windows was December 2014.

That actually sounds good for windows :-p

Ha ha ha ha. What I meant to say was that was the last time someone I knew was using Windows... They switched to Linux.

Hell, I even have my neighbor using OpenSuSe (she loves it).

MoreNames
@charter.com

1 recommendation

MoreNames

Anon

Netflix $9 per month

It's only $8 for people that were customers before May 2014. Also if you want 3 streams like HBO Now offers it costs $12. So $12 is close to $15

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Netflix $9 per month

Good point, I had forgotten they changed to offer 4K content and multiple streams to that $12 package. Thanks.

aaronwt
Premium Member
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
Asus RT-AX89

aaronwt to MoreNames

Premium Member

to MoreNames
said by MoreNames :

It's only $8 for people that were customers before May 2014. Also if you want 3 streams like HBO Now offers it costs $12. So $12 is close to $15

I pay $8 for four HD streams. That is supposed to be my price for life. As long as I never cancel.

At $10 a month for three months for HBO Go, I will sign up for it instead of through FiOS. But I will only sign up when there is a show I want to watch. The next show on HBO I will watch is The Leftovers. SO I won't subscribe until that starts.

MoreNames
@charter.com

MoreNames

Anon

Re: Netflix $9 per month

said by aaronwt:

I pay $8 for four HD streams. That is supposed to be my price for life. As long as I never cancel.

Good for you. That doesn't apply to everyone. Someone just signing up is going to pay $9 for 2 streams and $12 if they want 4.
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

elefante72 to aaronwt

Member

to aaronwt
Good point. Since there is no subscription you are going to see a lot of people sign up to binge and then drop.

For instance, if you like GOT and can wait, just wait until the season ends, sign up for $15 and binge over the month. You have now seen GOT for $15, legally.

They HAVE to offer an attractive monthly price if they want to hook the folks who find it easier to just subscribe and not worry about signups, because lets face it most of their back catalog can been seen on other avenues.

Additionally, they would likely add other TW content in there secondarily to hook people long term to make it Netflix-ish, and then syndicated/TP content over time to compete directly against Netflix.

If I were HBO I would do that.

MoreNames
@charter.com

MoreNames

Anon

Re: Netflix $9 per month

said by elefante72:

Additionally, they would likely add other TW content in there secondarily to hook people long term to make it Netflix-ish, and then syndicated/TP content over time to compete directly against Netflix.

If I were HBO I would do that.

They do have Bill Maher and John Oliver which have weekly shows. Not everyone's cup of tea but it is mine. Plus stuff like True Detective. They have new content spread throughout the year. Since I don't normally go to movies anymore or even rent DVDs or do PPV, HBO is where I typically see "new" movies.

jaykresge
@va.gov

jaykresge to aaronwt

Anon

to aaronwt
You are mistaken.

Those grandfathered at $7.99 are grandfathered for a minimum of 2 years (after which, they can bump your rates), and we've been reduced to AT LEAST 2 streams. I have, on occasion, gotten a 3rd stream to work (never tried 4), but generally I'm capped at 2 streams.

I've been a member since 2011.

aaronwt
Premium Member
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
Asus RT-AX89

aaronwt

Premium Member

Re: Netflix $9 per month

said by jaykresge :

You are mistaken.

Those grandfathered at $7.99 are grandfathered for a minimum of 2 years (after which, they can bump your rates), and we've been reduced to AT LEAST 2 streams. I have, on occasion, gotten a 3rd stream to work (never tried 4), but generally I'm capped at 2 streams.

I've been a member since 2011.

I've been a Netflix streaming member since streaming launched(some years prior to 2011) and a disc rental member since early 1999. When I go to my account page it specifically says, "Your plan price is guaranteed so long as you stay a member". And it also shows that I'm on the 4 screen plan (HD and Ultra HD) for $7.99. When I eventually asked Netflix about it I was told that I will continue to have that price as long as I never cancel or change my streaming plan.

TOPDAWG
Premium Member
join:2005-04-27
Calgary, AB

TOPDAWG to aaronwt

Premium Member

to aaronwt
for Netflix that is not right unless they changed their mind after like 2 years everyone gets the price bump.
Body Count
join:2010-09-11
Columbus, OH
Netgear CM1000
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter ER-4
Ubiquiti U6-Pro

Body Count to aaronwt

Member

to aaronwt
said by aaronwt:

said by MoreNames :

It's only $8 for people that were customers before May 2014. Also if you want 3 streams like HBO Now offers it costs $12. So $12 is close to $15

I pay $8 for four HD streams. That is supposed to be my price for life. As long as I never cancel.

At $10 a month for three months for HBO Go, I will sign up for it instead of through FiOS. But I will only sign up when there is a show I want to watch. The next show on HBO I will watch is The Leftovers. SO I won't subscribe until that starts.

On mine it says "2 Screens + HD" "Your plan price is guaranteed through at least May 9, 2016."

And I've been a subscriber for over three years now

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

1 recommendation

Packeteers

Premium Member

gift options needed too

I buy my hulu+ and netflix using codes discounted from other people who got them bundled with hdtv's or bought as promotional gift codes. they should do one at $60 per year that is transferrable so people can resell hbo now on ebay too. I prefer a code like this so neither hbo nor my isp/cabletv provider can link my name/address/cc to my viewing habits (all you need for a code to work is a working email address), why? because it's none of their fraking business (and yes, I know they could link me to my public IP address, but it's not like I want to make it easy for them).
iwinrar
join:2010-03-18

iwinrar

Member

Re: gift options needed too

Are you really that paranoid? If your that scared just pirate everything then the only people who know is the location you got it from and they don't care.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: gift options needed too

it's not paranoia, I'm just being prepared when these streamers ultimately get hacked, and millions of personal information records get resold on the dark web - and don't say it doesn't happen... LOL - right now thousands of private Netflix accounts are up for sale on the dark web as I type this - those are currently valid logins to see your real name, address and what CC company you use.
iwinrar
join:2010-03-18

iwinrar

Member

Re: gift options needed too

While I agree the risk is there a 2 step solution wouldn't hurt all that much I wish every site offered it. Let's just hope These streaming providers keep payment info separate. I know that is common practice with some companies let's just hope it is with them. Could always use a prepaid and just add money monthly.

Someone I knew had an Xbox using their account and I helped them fixnthst and we changed their loggin info to something secure and hasn't had an issue since? I think more people need to start using randomly generated passwords. Then combination of the two would prevent individual accounts from being pillaged .

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: gift options needed too

said by iwinrar:

a 2 step solution wouldn't hurt

FYI - recently in the news: »www.siliconrepublic.com/ ··· gle-says
iwinrar
join:2010-03-18

iwinrar

Member

Re: gift options needed too

Interesting I will read it later. Skimmed it before appointment and I see how that is a major issue and should be elimated for more secure forms. The ecrypyion USB keys have interested me a bit. I myself rarely answer with the actually question.

MoreNames
@charter.com

MoreNames to Packeteers

Anon

to Packeteers
What is it that you watch that you're ashamed of?

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

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: gift options needed too

said by MoreNames :

ashamed

said the unregistered anonymous poster...

MoreNames
@charter.com

MoreNames

Anon

Re: gift options needed too

said by Packeteers:

said by MoreNames :

ashamed

said the unregistered anonymous poster...

So Packeteers is your actual name?
AmericanMan
Premium Member
join:2013-12-28
united state

AmericanMan to Packeteers

Premium Member

to Packeteers
I saw Netflix gift cards at Wal Mart a few weeks back.

I was thinking of buying one for my aunt.

Frank
Premium Member
join:2000-11-03
somewhere

Frank

Premium Member

Might see a mass exodus from some cable co.s

Seriously, where I live my local cable company (bright house) charges $19 for HBO. If youre an HBO subscriber and its the same content @$10 or less (significant savings) youd be stupid not to switch.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Might see a mass exodus from some cable co.s

there is so much "stupid" out there, it's amazing. I have neighbors in my coop I volunteer to help them buy and install their own cable modem so they don't have to pay $8-$10 rental every Month. despite all the positive feedback from those who did it with me, nearly half the people that know me for years, did not bother with it even a year later, even some still with older 4 channel docsis3 modems and 10/100 port wifi routers that are running slower than their paid for speeds - it's ludicrous.
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

elefante72

Member

Re: Might see a mass exodus from some cable co.s

It's not stupidity. Humans loathe change and have priorities, If in their eyes it's working (maybe not optimally) they are happy. Also I can tell you family members the same thing. I literally had to gift them cable modems @ Xmas to get them to move. Not everyone is obsessed w/ speed and have no idea they are being gouged on modem fees.

I can tell you I was on a call w/ TWC when they tried to "scare" my mother into a leased modem, and at that point many people fold.

FYI - Woot/Amazon/others are selling refurbed Arris/Moto regularly now for low $$$, and these in most cases were activated. As you can imagine a number of folks when activating them are getting flagged by the more abusive operators and refusing to add (either they own it or it's on another account). Arris will work w/ the operator to clear that up.

»www.arrisi.com/support/index.asp

hobgoblin
Sortof Agoblin
Premium Member
join:2001-11-25
Orchard Park, NY

hobgoblin

Premium Member

Re: Might see a mass exodus from some cable co.s

"As you can imagine a number of folks when activating them are getting flagged by the more abusive operators and refusing to add (either they own it or it's on another account)."

If a modem is alreday on another account or flagged as owned by a cable company, it is impossible for a support agent to add it or activate it. Doing your job is not being abusive by the way.

Hob
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

elefante72

Member

Re: Might see a mass exodus from some cable co.s

You bring up a good point. I sold my cable modem to my brother which I bought brand new and activated on TWC (for 3 days). I cancelled my TWC account over 2 years ago. When my brother went to activate it he went through wasted hours to get it activated (also on TWC) because guess what is was flagged on my inactive account from years ago...

I call that abusive, because the CM should just be activated, especially if my account had been cancelled years ago.

What was even more infuriating was he had to wait even more time for the TWC modem to update so that the TWC app could authenticate. I figured this out (not due to support), because a call into support (the first time) told me to reinstall the TWC app, and that there were outages happening w/ no TTR. Seeing that this was a simple modem swap, that turned into a nightmare. And to top it all off, that $5 CM is now free because he still has voice...

On my mothers account (also TWC) she has had a CM on that account for maybe 5 years (the CM is like 9 years old and again bought brand new) then out of the blue a modem fee appears and she has to fight that. Same problem getting the TWC app to work (at least I had experience at this point) when I swapped in a new CM.

I would mention that TWC is the only HSI vendor where they live, and if there were choice maybe the game would be a little different like where I live.

Put plainly TWC customer experience sucks, and calling in to activate a modem is like a horse and buggy experience--rough and slow.

I can also go into the lack of CC knowledge or the installer showing up w/ a STB (when ordering a CC), then only a CC, and then forcing me to the store to get a SDV switch and then it not authenticating correctly. At that point I turned around and cancelled TWC and will not likely go back.

I can contrast because I have had TWC and FiOS and I can tell you it is night and day.

So doing your "job" and customer service may or may not be at odds.
elray
join:2000-12-16
Santa Monica, CA

elray to Packeteers

Member

to Packeteers
It isn't necessarily "stupid", so much as inertia.

That, and considering you're so willing to label your neighbors, they may not really want your "help". You may be the most gracious guy on the planet, but that doesn't mean everyone wants to show you their cable bill, especially if it has a few PPV items.

A lot of people don't want or need anything beyond basic DSL speeds, if that. It isn't "ludicrous" if it just works and nothing breaks, even at the "standard pricing" everyone here gripes about.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

1 recommendation

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Might see a mass exodus from some cable co.s

said by elray:

considering you're so willing to label your neighbors

I never did, nice try though
Kuro
join:2014-10-01

Kuro

Member

This I can get behind.

If this becomes a thing I would have no problems throwing down $100 a year vs $15 a month.

tmh
@comcastbusiness.net

tmh

Anon

When will I see it on Roku?

When?

MoreNames
@charter.com

MoreNames

Anon

Re: When will I see it on Roku?

After Apple's 3 month exclusivity is over which will be July.