HBO -- best known for its paid movie channels and original shows such as Entourage -- is looking to become a kingpin in the online video world. Whether it can take on the likes of Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and Epix is another matter.
Earlier this month, Time Warner (the parent company of HBO), started discussing its plans for HBO GO, a Hulu-like site for accessing the channel's movies and TV shows. There is a catch, of course: You have to be an HBO subscriber to get it.
In a lot of ways, HBO GO is a direct response to Epix, a joint venture between Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM studios many have dubbed the "Hulu of Movies." It's both a website and a pay TV channel that broadcasts current and classic movies -- sound familiar?
As NYT's Media Coder blog points out, HBO GO is part of the "TV Everywhere" initiative being spearheaded by Comcast and Time Warner to provide more on-demand content on the web, but only if you're a cable subscriber first.
Initial beta users have generally reported positive things to say about HBO GO's interface, but so long as it stays behind a subscription wall, it will be relegated to being a minor player.