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Would-be cord-cutters, pay attention: Sling TV says it will be offering HBO—both the regular live programming from the main HBO channel and video-on-demand—this month in time for the premiere of "Game of Thrones" on April 12. Like the standalone HBO Now streaming service, which is not part of this deal, HBO will be priced at $15 per month as an add-on to Sling TV's $20-a-month Best of Live TV package.
With this deal, Sling TV becomes the first live online TV service to offer HBO. Sling TV is supported on a number of streaming devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick and several Roku players and Roku TVs. Of course you'll have to pay a total of $35 to get HBO, since you have to subscribe to Sling TV's core package too.
When we tested Sling TV in January, we felt it was promising, though not without issues, such as poorer image quality than we get with cable or satellite TV and significantly more latency. We also noted that you don't get broadcast channels. The service has continued to add content, and the option of HBO will certainly increase Sling TV's appeal, especially among those looking for alternatives to traditional pay TV services.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this announcement is that it seemingly mitigates the impact of the exclusive HBO Now deal with Apple. Cablevision has also said it will offer HBO Now. Other cable companies could follow suit since there doesn't appear to be any exclusivity with pay-TV services.
—James K. Willcox
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