Quote:
Originally Posted by OLD BOY
I wouldn't discount an HBO channel or app launching on Virgin Media. Sky's exclusivity deal only applies to first run shows, and given how far behind we are now with the worthwhile stuff on Sky Atlantic such as Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones, getting SA now would be of limited benefit to us.
If such a channel launched this year, we could have a lot of older HBO material, and there must be quite a lot of this as they have been broadcasting in the States for many years. Added to this, we would have the prospect of getting those SA programmes we've been hankering for in the near future - some of them like Treme may be available immediately. Game of Thrones, however, may still be about two years off before we can get it if an HBO channel/streaming service is what is coming.
It would certainly explain why VM have still not agreed with Sky to launch SA on cable. This was looking like a very real prospect eight or nine months ago, when both sides were reported as being much more realistic about the situation.
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OB, whilst I agree with you (and have suggested similar comments as you just have a few times in the past) the statement sky released (I cant seem to find it) when the new deal was signed was a little ambiguous. They did not state outright that they have exclusive rights for on-demand content, but you could equally read the statement as Sky saying they have exclusive first to air rights and also exclusive rights for the rest of the content in an all encompassing deal. I suppose it come downs to how you interpret the wording of the statement.
As I stated earlier, I agree with your thoughts and I would not be surprised to see HBO content become available via some form of monthly subscription. HBO really have Sky over a barrel now, if Sky want exclusive first run TV shows, they have to dance to HBO's tune.
Either way, I am still not overly bothered by the content SA show. GOT has never done it for me, although I am getting pressured by the current squeeze to give it another go.
. We have compromised and I have downloaded a sample of the book on me Kindle.
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