HBO Now lands on the Xbox One, marking the first time it goes official on a console.
For the uninitiated, this is the independent subscription-based streaming service that the TV network offers, bringing a comprehensive avalanche of HBO content such as Game of Thrones – just in the nick of time for season 6, really.
"Instant access to HBO's best original series from yesterday and today. Watch every episode of every season of HBO's addictive drama and hilarious comedy series specials and more as they premiere – without waiting," Microsoft says.
Other notable shows that the TV service has in store include Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Silicon Valley, Veep and The Wire, to name a few.
The HBO Now app rolled out a year ago, but it was a timed exclusive for Apple devices. Needless to say, that bummed out a lot of HBO fans, but it looks like everything is going to be A-OK now.
It's also worth mentioning that this move could give the user base of the streaming service a huge boost, just like how Netflix increased its subscriber count thanks to the console approach.
To keep the good news rolling, HBO Now is also available on the Xbox 360 and the latest Samsung Smart TVs, with 2015 models soon to have support as well. Just to be clear, it now works with select Amazon devices, Roku and even on the desktop, among others.
As for getting started, subscribers will have to sign up for an account at the HBO Now website, as there's currently no way to do so through the console itself. Hopefully, that'll change at some point in the future via updates.
Meanwhile, HBO Now will set customers back by $14.99 a month. Considering the content it has to offer, that's more or less worthwhile.
Photo: Marco Verch | Flickr
