Two million of us now are HBO Now subscribers
Fans of "Game of Thrones," "Westworld" and other HBO streaming-video shows increased from 800,000 a year ago.
- Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
Game of Thrones is an HBO hit.
How many people are disaffected with cable TV but still attached to HBO's shows?
Two million so far, according to Time Warner Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes, who shared HBO Now subscriber numbers Tuesday, according to remarks spotted by Variety. HBO Now, which costs $15 per month, lets people watch "Game of Thrones" and "Westworld" online without needing a subscription through a TV service. "We're really pleased with the progress" of HBO Now, Bewkes told analysts Tuesday after reporting financial results.
Subscribers to HBO Now, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, CBS All Access and other streaming-video services are called cord-cutters for behavior that stiffs traditional cable TV companies. (CNET is owned by CBS.)
HBO hits include "Game of Thrones" and "Westworld," but both those shows won't have new episodes for months to come.
HBO chief Richard Pleper was defensive in February 2016 when HBO Now mustered only 800,000 subscribers when analysts had expected a total closer to 2 million.