HBO

Netflix said to be seeking cable TV partner

Netflix might be looking to step up its game as competition with HBO and other service providers heats up.

The video streaming giant is looking to partner with a cable company that would bundle online movie streaming with its other offerings, according to Reuters.

The news service reports that sources familiar with the matter say that Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings has been stealthily meeting with a few of the largest U.S. cable companies the past few weeks to discuss how a deal might work. This partnership could come as soon as the end of the year, according to … Read more

I regret selling my DVDs

I used to have hundreds of DVDs. They lined an entire bookshelf. I knew I never watched many of them; besides, the future was digital, wasn't it? It was 2006. My iPod Video told me so.

I sold about half my discs to the departed Kim's Video up the street, and then--pressured a bit by my family needs and small apartment--I did the unthinkable: I tossed out the remaining boxes and stuffed the discs in a binder.

It felt like sacrilege for my treasured and somewhat hard-to-find discs--my Canadian version of Cronenberg's "eXistenZ" with a commentary track, my various out-of-print Criterion movies. I gambled that I'd never really play these discs many more times, what with Netflix instant streaming and iTunes movie rentals.

Mostly, I was right. Then came "Kiki's Delivery Service."… Read more

HBO Go landing on Xbox 360 on April 1?

After taking some time to break out from the browser, HBO Go is making some serious inroads into your living room.

Speaking to Engadget last night, HBO Co-President Eric Kessler said that his company plans to make HBO Go available on the Xbox 360 on April 1. The launch is by no means a coincidence: it matches up with the premiere of season 2 of HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones."

Microsoft announced last year that it would be offering HBO Go, which allows HBO subscribers to stream the company's entire line of television shows, documentaries, … Read more

Comedy series rumored to be in the works at Netflix

The next stab in the Netflix vs. HBO tit-for-tat rivalry was revealed today with rumors that Netflix is planning to produce a new comedy series, according to Bloomberg News.

The series, called "Orange is the New Black," would be 13 episodes and based on the diary of a communications executive who served time at a low-level women's prison on drug-related charges, according to Bloomberg News. Jenji Kohan, who made "Weeds," is said to be the show's creator.

Just last week, Netflix debuted a series similar to the "Sopranos" called "Lilyhammer." … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1580: Men have little interest in Pinterest (Podcast)

Rafe Needleman and Donald Bell join Brian Tong on the show today to discuss all the new video-streaming options coming down the pipe. We got Amazon, Viacom, HBO, Netflix, Verizon, Redbox, and now possibly another service called Quickflix. Which one will you choose? In other news, the iPad 3 is coming in March, and we investigate who exactly Pinterest appeals to. If you are a guy you most likely have no interest in Pinterest.

Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (640x360)

RSS (MP3) | RSS (320x180) | RSS (640x360)… Read more

Is HBO's investment in Netflix-like firm a strategy shift?

At a time when HBO tries to downplay the suggestion that any significant rivalry exists between it and Netflix, managers there have worked to acquire a Netflix lookalike in Australia.

And get this: the name of this video rental service HBO bought is Quickflix.

Seem familiar? The name sounds like a blend of Netflix and the company's ill-fated spinoff, known as Qwikster. HBO's managers had to know how it would look for the premium cable channel to invest $10 million in a company with a name like that.

Not surprisingly, some media outlets are writing that HBO's … Read more

HBO forces Netflix to go elsewhere for its DVDs

HBO has stopped providing DVDs of its shows to Netflix as competition between the two companies heats up. The move, however is unlikely to disrupt rentals of HBO discs because Netflix can still acquire the DVDs from other sources.

HBO, the powerhouse entertainment channel known for such shows as "The Sopranos," "Six Feet Under," and "True Blood" stopped providing the discs, which it made available at a discount, as of January 1, according to sources who spoke to CNET.

Spokesmen for both companies confirmed the move.

HBO's decision is unlikely to affect Netflix'… Read more

Netflix: It wants to be HBO, but better

Steven Van Zandt was born to run and Netflix is hoping the former "Sopranos" actor and member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street band has a long run in the upcoming original Netflix series, "Lilyhammer."

Van Zandt stars in the show about a mafia boss who moves to Norway as part of a witness protection program. Netflix announced yesterday that series will debut on its video streaming and rental service on February 6, becoming one of the company's first exclusive TV serials.

The move comes as a minor surprise in that Netflix was widely expected … Read more

It's about time! Time Warner Cable gets HBO Go, Max Go

Time Warner Cable customers just received their holiday gift early: after a long wait, they'll soon have access to HBO Go and Max Go.

HBO launched HBO Go last year. The offering allows HBO subscribers on certain cable services to stream movies, television shows, documentaries, and other content over the Web and on mobile devices, like Apple's iPad. HBO Go comes with 1,400 available titles, while Max Go includes access to over 400 Cinemax videos.

HBO Go launched with support for customers on DirecTV, Verizon, and several other cable and satellite services. However, HBO owner Time Warner surprised many industry observers … Read more