Amazon Enters Landmark Deal with HBO

SEATTLE: A new licensing agreement between Amazon and HBO makes Prime Instant Video the exclusive online-only subscription home for a range of HBO programming, including True Blood.

For the first time ever, HBO series such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Big Love, Deadwood, Eastbound & Down, Family Tree, Enlightened, Treme, early seasons of Boardwalk Empire as well as miniseries like Band of Brothers, John Adams and more will be available on Amazon Prime Instant Video. Previous seasons of other HBO shows, such as Girls, The Newsroom and Veep, will become available over the course of the multiyear agreement, approximately three years after airing on HBO.

This is the first time that HBO programming has been licensed to an online-only subscription streaming service. This programming will remain on all HBO platforms. Additionally, HBO GO will become available on Fire TV, targeting a launch by year-end.

“HBO has produced some of the most groundbreaking, beloved and award-winning shows in television history, with more than 115 Emmys amongst the assortment of shows coming to Prime members next month,” said Brad Beale, the director of content acquisition for Amazon. “HBO original content is some of the most popular across Amazon Instant Video—our customers love watching these shows. Now Prime members can enjoy a collection of great HBO shows on an unlimited basis, at no additional cost to their Prime membership.”

“Amazon has built a wonderful service—we are excited to have our programming made available to their vast customer base and believe the exposure will create new HBO subscribers,” said Charles Schreger, the president of programming sales for HBO.

“As owners of our original programming, we have always sought to capitalize on that investment. Given our longstanding relationship with Amazon, we couldn’t think of a better partner to entrust with this valuable collection,” said Glenn Whitehead, the executive VP of business and legal affairs at HBO. “We’re also excited to bring HBO GO to Amazon’s Fire TV. The features like unified voice search will provide a compelling experience for HBO customers.”