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How Netflix, HBO, ESPN punish international travelers

I am writing this post sitting in New Delhi, India, as I wind up a trip that included several social-media talks to mark the centennial of Columbia Journalism School.

Thanks to apps like Apple's FaceTime and the free texting-and-calling service Viber, I was able to connect in better ways with my wife and kids than on any international trip I've ever been on.

But I also was deeply disappointed by one aspect of technology on this trip. And it was the fact that some services that I use regularly in the U.S. don't work overseas.

Here'… Read more

HBO renews Universal film deal, one less studio for Netflix

HBO has locked up the pay-TV rights for films from Universal Pictures, one of the top six Hollywood film studios, the company's said today.

HBO, owned by Time Warner, and Comcast-controlled Universal, said they extended their licensing agreement into the next decade. HBO will continue to own exclusive access to the movies during the pay-TV window -- the period that begins after movies are made available for sale on download and discs.

The deal limits Netflix's ability to land another big licensing agreement similar to the one it entered into with Disney late last year. A month ago, … Read more

Swords and suds: 'Game of Thrones' gets official beer

Though HBO and Brewery Ommegang missed a golden opportunity to release a brewski called "Winter Ale is Coming," the two entities are still hard at work turning George R. R. Martin's popular series into a drinkable product.

The first beer in the line will be Iron Throne Blonde Ale, because nothing says "deadly throne forged from the swords of fallen foes" quite like a light-bodied, straw-colored, easy-drinking ale. I would at least think the Iron Throne would rate a porter or a stout.

The blonde will be on the market just in time for the premiere of season 3 on March 31. It will be available on draft and in 750ml bottles at $8.50 each. We're still waiting to see what the label will look like. … Read more

New TV Guide app tries to bridge gap between TV and streaming

Finding streaming TV shows or movies is a mess. No service or app has a complete collection, and getting what you want often feels like rummaging at the Internet's garage sale.

Some services have risen up to try to help; the Xbox 360 offers excellent Bing-based search of Xbox media apps, while Fanhattan does the same on iOS, although you have to enter the app to begin searching.

Fanhattan lacks one important feature, though: a listing of shows on actual, live TV.

Bridging the cord-cutting and cable/antenna TV landscape is TV Guide, which tries to implement streaming-media hooks into its existing tradition TV listings service.… Read more

Fanhattan for iOS adds HBO and Cinemax, still trying to be iPad's perfect video app

Devices like the iPad have become spectacular as repositories for streaming TV apps and video services, but they're not so great at discovery of said streaming shows, which tend to be scattered around like Easter eggs across different apps. The latest version of Fanhattan takes a small step forward in the great Mission To Help iPad Users Find Their Videos, but it's not the perfect app yet. … Read more

Netflix suggests it could some day work with HBO

Netflix intimated today as part of the company's second-quarter earnings that it could partner with HBO in the future.

HBO, the top pay-TV service, appears to have been caught off guard by the comment but it doesn't appear the Time Warner-owned company wants anything to do with Netflix.

In a letter to investors from Netflix, CEO Reed Hastings wrote: "As for HBO, they continue to do great work with HBO GO, which is now available to most U.S. households that subscribe to the premium service. While we compete for content and viewing time with HBO, it … Read more

HBO Go finally comes to Android tablets

HBO has updated its streaming-video application to support a wide range of Android-based tablets.

The update, which landed in the Google Play marketplace yesterday, now allows HBO customers to stream the company's programming on tablets running Android versions up to 4.04 (Ice Cream Sandwich). In addition, HBO Go's latest version includes some new performance enhancements and bug fixes.

A report cropped up in May that HBO would update its streaming application to work with tablets. At that time, the company allowed Android-based smartphone users to access the program, but tablet owners were out of luck. Last month, … Read more

Best apps for streaming video on Android

When the smartphone craze first started, the thought of being able to stream a movie or TV show while commuting into work or waiting at the airport was simply a dream. Screens were small, coverage was spotty, and it was hard to find shows you actually wanted to see. Fast forward to today, and streaming content on the go is genuinely good.

We rounded up seven apps that provide a great streaming experience on your Android device, whether you're sitting on the couch with solid Wi-Fi or out and about with a 3G or 4G connection. Here they are. … Read more

The 404 1,082: Where it's rude to point (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Scumbag Facebook changes your e-mail address on the sly.

- HBO teases Sorkin's 'Newsroom' pilot for free on YouTube.

- Winamp history lesson of the day: how the greatest MP3 player undid itself.

- Orbitz capitalizes on Mac users to boost online business.

- A first look at the new Star Trek Communicator app!… Read more

'Game of Thrones' Bush head episode spiked from HBO Go, iTunes

One of the wonderful benefits HBO subscribers get these days is HBO Go, an online -- or mobile -- service that lets them access almost all of the network's archive.

But today, clearly embarrassed by the firestorm caused by an episode of its hit series "Game of Thrones" featuring former President George W. Bush's decapitated head on a spike, HBO has yanked the episode from both HBO Go and iTunes.

The controversy first arose earlier this week when the Web site io9 posted a story about its discovery of the Bush head in episode 10 of … Read more