General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHBO: We Know You're Pirating 'Game Of Thrones' And That's Fine
During the earnings call, Tuna Amobi of S&P U.S. Equity Research Services asked CEO Jeff Bewkes what he thought of "Game of Thrones" being the most pirated show on television.
We were tipped off about the exchange from the Game of Thrones blog White Harbour, which published an early transcription of the key quote earlier today.
Still, the whole response is fantastic. Essentially, Bewkes goes so far as to say that internet piracy is downright awesome for HBO.
http://www.businessinsider.com/time-warner-ceo-people-pirating-game-of-thrones-is-better-than-an-emmy-for-hbo-2013-8
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)from HBO.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Without having to buy cable. If I could pay 7-8 bucks month so I could stream HBO I would. I'm not getting cable though.
burnodo
(2,017 posts)Seems HBO could make a lot of money w/o that requirement
sweetloukillbot
(11,098 posts)We streamed everything and having instant access to that incredible programming lineup and archives was great. If there were a way to subscribe to the Internet service only I'd do it in a heartbeat. My only complaint was no Larry Sanders - I don't remember if Mr. Show was available.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)piracy would drop tremendously.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)tammywammy
(26,582 posts)That's how I'm watching it.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)tammywammy
(26,582 posts)I'm a strong believer in intellectual property rights, I don't illegally download music/tv/movies. I'd totally be down for a streaming service from HBO.
Plus I'm a grad student and fulltime worker. I can only enjoy this stuff while on break. So, I'm knocking out the two seasons during my three week summer break. I can't wait for Breaking Bad to start Sunday.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)I've been waiting almost a year!
TeamPooka
(24,264 posts)millennialmax
(331 posts)Skittles
(153,220 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Vashta Nerada
(3,922 posts)It's too bad cable channels don't make apps where you can pay a certain fee per month to watch its programming. AFAIK, they have apps, but you have to have a cable subscription.
Logical
(22,457 posts)exboyfil
(17,865 posts)early access to this show without purchasing HBO. I won't have HBO on in my house, but I would be willing to pay the current streaming rate for Seasons I and II for Season III. As it stands I will wait for Season III to be available legally somewhere (either as DVD or through streaming).
I guess immediate access to legal Game of Thrones is a tipping point for a purchasing decision for HBO for many. I don't care for most of their shows, and, while the sex is somewhat true to Martin's books, I would prefer it not be so in my face (ie I like a warning when its coming and not starting the scene with it for example).
bhikkhu
(10,725 posts)...the fact is, a large amount of people can't afford cable, and Game of Thrones is a very well-made show.
If you look at things like that which become parts of our culture and long-term moneymakers, its broad availability that helps establish them (much more than exclusivity). In this case, "piracy" is what allows the lower classes a small measure of equal access and participation in the wider culture.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)Trying to fight the tide is a fool's errand, but there is no bigger fool than Big Business.
Smart people figure out ways to leverage change.