HBO content for Google Play
December 3, 2013
Google has signed a deal with HBO to make shows including Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and True Blood, available on the Google Play service for the first time.
The deal will also see older shows, such as The Wire and The Sopranos available to own and stream via Google Play from next week. Google is charging £18.49 (€21.70) for the full third season of Game of Thrones, or £1.89 an episode. The popular series is currently not available on Apple’s iTunes.
“We are delighted to bring our wide range of programming to Google Play in the UK, and expand on our existing relationship in the US,” said Colin Smith, director of international digital distribution for HBO. “This is an exciting time for HBO in the digital space and we can’t wait to work with Google over the coming weeks and months to deliver all of our series and films to their platform, including a host of new and returning HBO shows throughout 2014”.
In the UK, BSkyB has the broadcast TV rights to Game of Thrones, with the third season ending in mid-June, and subscribers could also watch it on the Sky Go service for viewing on handheld devices. blinkbox struck an exclusive deal to be the first digital service to offer it after broadcast, making it available in July.