HBO is now live on Google‘s inexpensive Chromecast Internet TV adapter, with the premium cabler updating its HBO Go mobile apps and website to let users “cast” video to the device.
When it launched in late July, the $35 Chromecast supported Netflix and YouTube, along with content purchased from the Google Play store and the Google Play Music service. Since then, Hulu Plus and Pandora have joined the lineup.
The addition of HBO Go will help Chromecast vie against higher-priced streaming players including Apple TV and Roku — both of which offer the service.
“Google’s Chromecast is one of the newest, more exciting devices in the marketplace today, so we are very happy to bring this capability to our subscribers,” HBO chief technology officer Otto Berkes said. “From the beginning, our goal has been to bring HBO GO to the devices where viewers want to watch it and Chromecast definitely falls into that category.”
According to HBO, the Chromecast feature is available to HBO subscribers through all major U.S. pay TV providers.
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Google hasn’t disclosed how many Chromecast units it has sold, but the company was caught off-guard by the initial demand: The device sold out online in less than 24 hours, thanks in part to the limited-time offer of three free months of Netflix streaming service. Chromecast doesn’t include a remote control, instead using smartphone or tablet apps for on-screen controls and content selection.
Shortly after the Chromecast’s launch, the premium cabler said it was “actively exploring” adding HBO Go to the device.
HBO Go — which provides access to all of the network’s current and past original series, along with movies, documentaries and specials — is available on other devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Roku, Microsoft Xbox 360, Amazon Kindle Fire and Samsung Smart TVs. The apps are free to download but to watch video users must have an HBO subscription through a pay-TV provider.
Some HBO content has already been available on Chromecast, through Google Play. Last month, the programmer began selling a limited selection of past seasons of original series including “Game of Thrones” and “Boardwalk Empire” on the Internet company’s digital storefront.
