HBO has announced it is launching an on-demand streaming service in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. A launch date has been set in mid-October, and will offer the subscription service for less than €10 a month. A more “transactional” video on demand service will also be offered, if you would rather just gram an episode or movie every now and then. The service will be found at hbonordic.com.
The content provided will include all the new HBO TV shows that many over here have probably “borrowed” off the internet, such as Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, True Blood. HBO classics like Sex and the City, The Sopranos, and The Wire will also be offered.
Feature films from major studios will also be streamable, putting HBO Nordic in direct competition with Netflix, which announced their intentions to launch their service in the Nordic countries by the end of 2012.
“HBO Nordic is the first service in the Nordic countries to combine day-and-date delivery and streaming of the latest episodes of an HBO original series subtitled in the local language, with all past seasons. This service will be available on any internet connected device”, says Hervé Payan, CEO of HBO Nordic.
Like much of Europe, the Nordic countries are used to feeling left out by Hollywood. We do get access to HBO and network programs, but it usually arrives one year later than when it first broadcasted in the States.
We don’t know too many details about either service, but now that we’re offered a choice, what do you go for? The higher quality HBO shows, or the deep catalog of Netflix?
