HBO is trying to simplify its trio of video streaming services by retiring HBO GO, the oldest of the three, and rebranding HBO Now.
The company will sunset HBO GO on July 31. Most users will be moved over to the recently launched HBO Max, which gives users access to HBO content in addition to shows and movies from parent company WarnerMedia.
That may sound pretty straightforward, but there’s one problem: HBO GO is available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices; currently, HBO Max is not. The newly launched streaming service has yet to strike a deal with either platform.
Fortunately, HBO Max is available as a standalone Android and iOS app, and can also be accessed on Apple TV, Samsung TV, and Android TV, in addition to the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. It’s also compatible with Google Chromecast.
HBO GO is a streaming service for people who subscribe to HBO through their pay TV or cable service, so these customers will still have access to HBO on a television via their cable box and the on-demand options offered by their pay TV provider. However, many users on social media say they primarily access HBO GO via Roku.
HBO Now Rebranded to Just ‘HBO’
HBO Now (Credit: HBO)
On top of today’s announcement, the company also said that HBO Now — the third streaming service — will simply be called HBO.
If you’re starting to get confused, you’re not alone. But HBO Now is basically the same as HBO GO. The only difference is how you sign up for HBO Now — no cable subscription required.
HBO Now arrived in 2015 as a Netflix competitor. However, it only gives you access to HBO content — no extras from the WarnerMedia catalog. For that, you need HBO Max. (All HBO GO and HBO Now customers get free access to HBO Max.)
Both streaming services cost $14.99 a month. However, HBO Now has a key perk over HBO Max: it remains available on Roku and Fire TV devices. This distinction explains why the company can’t simply fold HBO Now into HBO Max. Doing so would potentially prevent millions of subscribers from playing HBO content on their streaming devices.
So to sum up:
HBO GO is saying goodbye.
HBO Max will inherit all HBO GO users. But sorry, no Roku or Fire TV support (yet).
HBO Now is getting renamed to HBO.
“Existing HBO Now subscribers will have access to HBO through the rebranded HBO app on platforms where it remains available and through play.hbo.com,” the company added.
WarnerMedia could resolve any problems by letting HBO GO users to migrate HBO Now — which has Roku and Fire TV support— instead of HBO Max. We've asked the company this question, and we'll update the story if we hear back. But the network's overarching goal is probably to get everyone on HBO Max, even as a Roku or Amazon deal remains up in the air.
According to Variety, the company is retiring HBO GO as a negotiating tactic. Most cable TV providers have struck deals to offer HBO Max to their customers, but not all. In the event your cable TV provider hasn't, you'll still be able to authenticate access to HBO GO via hbogo.com, but only until Aug. 31.
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