You can watch HBO Now on Apple iPhones, iPads and Apple TV in April

As anticipated, Apple will be among the first companies to offer the new HBO Now streaming-only service when it launches next month. Announced at Apple's smart watch press event today, the standalone HBO Now service will be available on iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch, and Apple TV for just $15 a month.

The company also said its cutting the everyday price of Apple TV from $99 to $69, though it doesn't appear that the device itself is being updated.

HBO Now will launch just before the series premiere of its hit show, "Game of Thrones," on April 12. If you're an Apple customer and want to give the new service a try before you buy, HBO is providing a free 30-day to new HBO Now subscribers who sign up through Apple. HBO Now joins a growing list of options, including the recently launched Sling TV service from Dish, targeting would-be cord cutters and cable nevers.

There have been reports—so far unconfirmed—that Apple will have a three-month exclusive for the HBO Now service, meaning it wouldn't be available on other streaming devices, such as Amazon Fire TV and Roku, until the summer. We'll be following all the HBO Now deals as they're announced, so keep checking back for all our updates.

—James K. Willcox