HBO takes on Netflix in battle for Nordic viewers
Published: 31 Aug 12 17:16 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/42944/20120831/
Just two weeks after US company Netflix announced plans to expand to the Nordic countries, TV-hit maker HBO on Thursday revealed plans to launch an internet-streaming service in the region later this year.
- Netflix set to launch in Sweden this year (15 Aug 12)
"Excited to see HBO join us in offering standalone streaming service in Scandinavia…what about the USA? We thought the first match-up would be in Albania."
HBO has long ruled out a stand-alone internet-only plan for US, but such a service will soon be available in the Nordic countries.
So far Swedes have been able to watch some of HBO's hit series, like "The Wire" and "True Blood", on Sveriges Television (SVT) and on the cable station Canal Plus.
Soon, however, Swedish and other Nordic viewers will also be able to access HBO's programming online.
HBO announced on Thursday that it plans to launch a website called HBONordic.com which will offer online subscriptions for under €10 per month ($12.50), Variety magazine reports.
The service will also be available as an add-on to basic pay-TV subscriptions in the region, according to the Reuters news agency.
Netflix, which offers online film streaming and DVD rental deliveries, plans to launch its services in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland by the end of this year.
HBO Nordic's streaming subscription offer will launch in the same countries as early as the middle of October.
While it's not yet clear who will win the HBO-Netflix battle, as the two US companies prepare to go head-to-head one thing is certain: Nordic TV and movie ans will be spoilt for choice, with hit shows like "Game of Thrones" and a slew of popular films soon available on their desktops at the click of a mouse.
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If they could just provide a 1:1 copy of the US product, including release dates then they are halfway there. But instead you get stuck with a localised version with all kinds of junk and limitations and content months after the US.
I expect Netflix to be succesful here as it simply provides a good product, HBO isn't there yet. But both will need to work harder on releasing content here just as fast as in the US, all in HD quality and without any form of commercials, be it for products or content on the service.