Contrary to popular belief, Time Warner (NYSE: TWX ) doesn't need to make HBO GO a standalone subscription service to profit from hits such as Game of Thrones and True Blood.
Allowing current-season addicts to purchase season passes via Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL ) iTunes or Amazon.com's (NASDAQ: AMZN ) Instant Video could add millions in new revenue without damaging Warner's relationships with cable operators.
A game of cash and carry
Fools know I've been critical of HBO GO. Not because the app isn't useful. Far from it. The problem is one of synchronicity: HBO GO only works on tablets and smartphones. You can't start an episode on your TV, move to your computer, and then move to a tablet without losing your place. HBO badly lags Netflix in this area.
Meanwhile, a look at Warner's most recent 10-K annual report shows the company's Networks segment generated $8.67 billion in revenue. HBO has 114 million subscribers worldwide. Thus, it's likely Warner receives at least $76 a year, or $6 per month, from each HBO cable subscriber.
What would happen to that stream if Warner agreed to let Apple and Amazon sell current-season passes? Consider what we know about Game of Thrones and True Blood, which returns to HBO for a sixth season on June 16:
More than 17 million on Facebook say they "like" these shows.
Each show attracts more than 4.5 million viewers regularly.
Fans illegally downloaded 1 million copies of the Game of Thrones Season 3 premiere.
A Twitter campaign in which customers were asked what they'd spend monthly for a distinct HBO GO service generated more than 163,000 responses within 48 hours.
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, the "Mother of Dragons." Photo credit: HBO.
As I see it, HBO's viewing restrictions limit the potential audience for both GoT and True Blood.
Going a step further, let's say those 1 million downloaders reflect the number of current HBO subscribers who would flee to iTunes or Amazon Instant Video for their fix. What would they pay? Several participating in the #takemymoneyhbo Twitter campaign named $15 to $20 a month as a fair price for HBO GO as a standalone service.
My guess is a plurality of this same group would be willing to commit $180 to $240 for current-season downloads priced at a premium cable operators could (grudgingly) accept. If I'm right, HBO would give up $76 million to cord-cutters for the chance to earn at least twice that from downloaders.
Think I'm crazy? Let's put this idea to a vote.
Let's say HBO were to decide to sell Season 4 passes of Game of Thrones for $59.99 each ahead of next year's premiere, or $17 more than AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX ) currently demands for its hit The Walking Dead. Would you buy? Why or why not?
Please mark your selection in the poll below, and then leave a comment to let us know which HBO shows you'd most want to see made available for current season download.
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