“Non-HBO subscribers will soon be able to watch some of the network’s old TV shows, like ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘The Wire,’ on Amazon Prime’s streaming video service,” Brian Stelter reports for CNNMoney. “Amazon described the deal as a first for HBO, which has a reputation for being tightfisted with its library of hit shows — even ones that stopped airing years ago.”
“The deal draws a bright line between old and new,” Stelter reports. “The seasons of ‘Girls,’ ‘The Newsroom’ and ‘Veep’ that are premiering this year won’t be available through Amazon Prime for approximately three years. That means if viewers want to stay current, they have to subscribe to cable television and HBO (or borrow a friend’s HBO GO password).”
MacDailyNews Take: Sounds like Brian is encouraging something that’s not kosher.
“But a more casual type of viewer, who maybe wants to binge on every season of ‘Six Feet Under’ or ‘Deadwood’ for example, will now be able to do so through Amazon,” Stelter reports. “Previously, the only way for people without HBO to watch the network’s shows would be by purchasing DVDs or individual episodes through Amazon or Apple’s iTunes Store.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Julia” for the heads up.]
In related news, Eddy Cue just bought himself another new Ferrari.
If I were him I’d buy two.
Amazon cuts a deal for super old HBO shows? Cute. It’s like when my nephew told me that he rode his tricycle for the first time around the block.
Dammit, I knew this was going to happen. I’ve been a happy subscriber to Netflix and only Netflix for a couple of years now, but here come the inevitable exclusivity wars. Now it’s only a matter of time before I’m forced to sign up for the f***ing Amazon service to get all the shows I want. They don’t yet have exclusive rights to something I care about, but it’s going to happen.
——RM
… go to you local library, check out the dvd, rip it to iTunes, download to your iPad (or mini), enjoy the episode whenever you want, then delete when done.
Or obtain an HBOGo account access.
David nailed it in a short sentence. HBOGo account credentials have no limits on numbers of users. Plus it gives you access to new and old shows at the same time.
Amazon doesn’t look so cool anymore now does it?!
I used to have HBO Go access, but I decide to cut the cord in January of 2013. As of the end of March I’ve saved $1792:
http://atariage.com/forums/blog/148/entry-10911-march-savings/
I’d gladly pay HBO for access, but they won’t take my money. I do have Amazon Prime, so I’m happy I’ll have access to some of their older content again.