Malcolm Owen
Following a one-month extension, HBO Now is no longer available to use on the second-generation and third-generation Apple TV, leaving users with the prospect of upgrading to a newer model or performing a workaround to continue accessing the service.
The original decision to pull the HBO Go and HBO Now apps from earlier Apple TV models in April was postponed by a month. The late-April delay enabled users to continue using HBO Now on the Apple TV until May 15, but now access has been pulled on the second- and third-generation Apple TV.
Despite the removal of HBO Now from the Home Screen on those models, as spotted by 9to5Mac, users will still be able to take advantage of HBO Go for a while longer. An HBO spokesperson explained in April the HBO Go app will remain available for "a few additional months."
The extended availability of HBO Now may have been due to the coronavirus pandemic, though it has not been officially confirmed to have been the reason for the app's continued availability.
While owners of the older Apple TV models may be pressured to upgrade to a new fourth-generation Apple TV, there are ways to be able to continue watching via the set-top box, such as through AirPlay streaming.
HBO is currently preparing to launch HBO Max, a video streaming service that will open on May 27 with 10,000 hours of content. The service will draw from WarnerMedia's extensive 100-year-old catalog as well as offering original content, including an unscripted cast reunion of "Friends."
The service will cost $14.99 per month for new customers, though current HBO Now customers are speculated to be automatically upgraded to HBO Max without any extra fees if they are billed through the App Store or subscribe via Apple TV Channels.
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
12 Comments
I’m left wondering why HBO is doing this. Has HBO removed support for older Roku’s and Firesticks too? But time and technology marches on. Perhaps 2nd and 3rd gen Apple TV’s don’t have the ability HBO needs or may be HBO just doesn’t spend development dollars to continue supporting old hardware.
But whatever the reason we can be absolutely sure that users will blame Apple and accuse Apple of planned obsolescence. Apple will get the black eye and HBO will fly under the radar on this.
(update) I just remembered that HBO and Warner Media are now owned by AT&T. This explains everything!
Whatever.
Buy a new box. It costs $5/month.
At least it is not your 18-month-old Samsung TV that will never receive software updates.
Just download the HBO Now app on your phone and Chromecast it. Simple as pie
Side note pertaining to HBO Max.... I subscribe to the HBO channel on the “TV” app within Apple TV (so I can share it with family members, no usernames or passwords). I received this email from Apple about the new HBO Max offering:
..it appears to be saying channel subscribers can use the stand-alone app (not a channel...yet). Not sure how that will work as far as authentication credentials.