HBO Offers Streaming Content To Dish Network

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Just after we found out about HBO’s plans to expand its HBO Go streaming service and in the process snub Netflix, we find that HBO delivered yet another snub to Netflix by offering the valuable content to Netflix’s new primary rival, Dish Network. Now, Dish Network subscribers can use the Dish Online service to stream HBO content…assuming, of course, they’re already subscribed to HBO.

There still seems to be some reason behind the dual snubbing–apparently, back in January, when we first found out that Netflix would need to increase its prices before HBO would offer any “meaningful” amount of content. Netflix turned them down, not surprisingly…because HBO wanted Netflix to up its price to fully $20 a month instead of the $7.99 it was charging at the time. That’s almost triple what Netflix was originally charging, so it’s small wonder Netflix said that they really didn’t need The Sopranos that badly.

But in case you’re wondering why you’d want to get the Dish Online version when you’re already paying for HBO, the Dish Online version will also offer bonus content like interviews with cast members or behind the scenes featurettes, the kind of stuff that would likely make it to a DVD box set eventually anyway.

I’m not sure how enthusiastic I am about this. It doesn’t look like a big value for subscribers who are already paying pretty hefty sums just to get HBO in the first place, and tacking on some paltry bonuses like box set fodder just doesn’t seem like a good deal. Though considering how much content there is in HBO’s library (when you consider Cinemax too, turns out you’re talking 1800 pieces), it’s not a bad deal, really. I’m just not all that convinced it’s a good deal either.

So I’ll open it up to you, folks–hit the comments section and fill me in. Is this a good deal, or does it seem like not that much is offered that can’t be had elsewhere easier or even cheaper?