As announced a few weeks back, Amazon has begun streaming HBO content… without requiring an HBO subscription. The exclusive, multi-year deal has a few caveats, tho. First, we’re mostly talking back catalog content here, with a three year dark period after broadcast. So you’re still going to have to borrow that HBO GO password for Game of Thrones. But what a back catalog it is, with series like The Wire, Deadwood, and the Sopranos to keep you entertained for weeks, if not more. Second, you’ll need an Amazon Prime account — which currently runs $99/year. In addition to two day shipping, it features a variety of multimedia benefits including the Kindle “Lending Library” and all-you-can-eat video streaming… that has largely replaced Netflix in my household this year given a decent and comparable library, along with the option to fill in the gaps with current season purchases. If only I could get my Fire TV to stop dropping the network connection mid-show.
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No this isn't an ad. I'm a still a big fan of Amazon Prime despite the price hike and LaserShip. Not that it matters - my wife and mother have teamed up to prevent me from cancelling so I'm going to maximize my investment. Pretty sure Good Wife and Orphan Black were exclusive to Amazon and titles we enjoyed recently. I already have HBO GO, so the release doesn't do much for me at the moment - but perhaps down the road. And no question this high quality content will be a boon to folks who haven't seen the shows, don't have HBO.
In regards to Fire TV, my main use for Apple TV was Amazon streaming. That plus an expectation of a 2014 refresh led me to unload the aTV (on Amazon, ironically). In the last week, while watching Blacklist (I accidentally ordered the entire season, despite DVRing half), the Fire TV will say it's lost the Internet connection and stop playblack... despite the Internet connection being solid. It usually got going again by futzing around in the UI, but once it required I pull the plug on the Fire TV to restore playback/connectivity.
Also an HBO subscriber, so it doesn't do much for me, but the more people that see The Wire, the more my casual references to Hampsterdam are enjoyed.
Hopefully this will work better than HBO Go streaming on Roku 3 (Fios). It never seems to load anything and if it does it is at very low quality.