HBO Standalone Streaming Service Eyed For April 2015

HBO surprised us all a few months ago with the revelation that cordcutters might finally have a solution, as the pay-cable network announced plans for an independent online streaming service in 2015. Now, an internal memo suggests that the new service will arrive with ‘Game of Thrones’ season 5 in April, also revealing some surprising prospects for the future of HBO GO.

As revealed through a Forbes-obtained internal communication, HBO is currently eying an April 2015 launch for the new service, likely to capitalize on the network’s highest annual viewership in ‘Game of Thrones.’ Interestingly however, HBO will turn to MLB Advanced to help develop the new software, rather than build the service in-house, apparently over dissatisfaction with with the implementation and struggles of its own HBO GO.

Back in October, here’s what HBO CEO Richard Plepler had to say of the network’s decision to craft a streaming service:

[10 million broadband-only homes] is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped. It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO. So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them.

2015 will also bring about the highly-anticipated ‘True Detective’ season 2, as well as HBO’s ‘Westworld,’ so it stands to reason the network might turn to outside help in getting its new service ready for April. We’ll likely hear more details in the coming month, but what do you think? Would you get rid of TV in order to become an independent HBO streamer?