HBO Go streaming video service expanding to Apple's iPad

Time Warner-owned premium cable network HBO plans to expand its web-based HBO Go streaming video service to Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad tablet and other mobile devices within the next six months. HBO co-president Eric Kessler tells Bloomberg the network--which holds cable and Internet broadcast rights to films from Warner Bros., Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Pictures--plans to widen the scope of its digital efforts in lieu of inking a movie rental and video streaming service provider Netflix, which has recently accelerated its efforts to gain online access to content from all the major Hollywood studios. Last week, Netflix agreed to pay the Epix cable channel over $900 million to acquire digital distribution rights to releases from Paramount Pictures, Lions Gate Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

"There is value in exclusivity," Kessler said, stating consumers "are willing to pay a premium for high quality, exclusive content." HBO currently boasts more than 29 million subscribers, with sister network Cinemax adding another 12 million--last year, HBO generated operating profits of $1.2 billion on $3.9 billion in revenues.

HBO Go launched in February 2010, promising 800 hours of streaming content each month. Touting episodes of original series like The Wire, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Sopranos as well as feature films and sports, the service (free for existing HBO subscribers) enables Comcast and Verizon FiOS customers to view on-demand, high-definition content via laptop or desktop. Subscribers can also create personal watchlists and set a Series Pass for automatic access to their favorite HBO programs.

Netflix introduced its iPad application in early April, coinciding with the tablet's retail launch--appearing onstage at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference a month later, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said the application was the entertainment app most downloaded by the first wave of iPad owners. Netflix is also working on streaming video solutions for Apple's iPhone and Google's rival Android smartphone platform.

For more on HBO Go on mobile:
- read this Bloomberg article

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