Digital Home Thoughts: HBO to Compete with Netflix

"HBO has plans to launch a streaming service of thier own called HBO Go in the next six months. A Netflix spokesperson expressed their desire to work with HBO saying, "Compete with us or collaborate with us, but we would much rather work with them.” It seems HBO feels they can adequately compete with Netflix, having already secured content deals for their online service with Comcast and Verizon."

Gutsy, sure. Smart, not so much. I see HBO's point that their content is viewed as being exclusive, so putting it on Netflix makes it seem less such, but exclusive also means limiting your market. Netflix has tons of content, so tons of eyeballs. Plus Netflix is widely available on devices that easily hook up to consumers televisions and will be making the push to mobile devices. At best, I think any independent offering from HBO will remain a niche product at best.