HBO Standalone Streaming Service Is Coming In 2015

US media giant Time Warner said Wednesday it would launch a stand-alone HBO streaming service from next year, offering viewers without cable subscription hit shows like "Game of Thrones" and "Girls." The move allows HBO to enter the streaming-only video market dominated by Netflix.
HBO chief Richard Plepler told an investor meeting that the new service would be aimed at consumers without a cable or satellite subscription, who have not been able to watch the premium channel until now.

Plepler said the move would be "transformative for our company" by delivering the HBO service directly to consumers. "Currently there are 10 million broadband-only homes in the US," Plepler said. "That number is expected to grow. Of today´s 10 million, about half subscribe to a streaming service.
These consumers have no access to HBO. That is a large and growing opportunity, that should no longer be left untapped."

Consumers currently can access HBO online through a service called HBO Go, but a subscription through cable or satellite is needed. Plepler offered no details on a specific launch date in 2015 or fees for the new service. He said "we will work with our current partners and we will explore models with new partners" in an effort to reach the 80 million homes which do not currently have HBO.