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The real reason HBO Now is coming to Apple TV first

Published Apr 1st, 2015 6:20PM EDT
HBO Now Apple TV Exclusive
Image: US News

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Why is HBO’s new cable-free online streaming service coming to Apple TV and other Apple products before anyone else? MacRumors flags a comment made by HBO CEO Richard Plepler that demonstrates how Apple devices are just a natural fit with what HBO is offering.

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“They’re obviously an extraordinary company with a wide range of devices, and those devices are proliferating throughout the consumer base,” Plepler said in a recent interview. “But also, as we look at HBO GO, which is our streaming service tethered to distributors, we saw about 60% usage on Apple devices so it made perfect sense for us to work with Apple introducing HBO Now.”

This shouldn’t be too surprising — Apple users tend to have more disposable income and are thus more likely to subscribe to HBO as part of their monthly cable package. Given that Apple specializes in the high-end computing market and that HBO is considered the premium cable content provider, it’s natural that there will be significant overlap between the two.

HBO Now’s exclusivity with Apple will only last for the first three months after its launch, of course, so people who want to subscribe to the service and watch it through their Xbox or PlayStation will be able to do so in good time too.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.