Cablevision Will Also Offer HBO Now Streaming Service

A week after HBO announced that its long-awaited HBO Now standalone streaming service would launch in April as an Apple exclusive, the folks at Cablevision say they will also be offering HBO Now for its Optimum Online broadband customers who want HBO but don’t want basic cable.

This makes Long Island-based Cablevision the first ISP to offer the service.

“As New York’s premier connectivity company, we are enabling Optimum Online customers to enjoy content in any way they choose to receive it,” says Cablevision COO Kristin Dolan in a statement.

We have to note that Cablevision has not provided pricing, but says that this information will be released “in the coming weeks.”

Customers who buy HBO Now through Apple’s iTunes will pay $15/month, though the HBO Now FAQ states that “Prices may vary by participating partners,” meaning Cablevision and others could, in theory, charge a lower rate.

The good news, we’ve confirmed with HBO, is that the iTunes subscription operates on a month-to-month basis (much like Netflix) and can be canceled without any long-term commitment, so if you find a less-expensive offer elsewhere you can switch.

The statement from Cablevision also omits any mention of a launch date, which could imply that the service will not be available when HBO Now kicks off in early April. We’ve asked Cablevision to clarify and will update when we hear anything back.

by Chris Morran via Consumerist