PDA

View Full Version : Microsoft stops asking HBO Go, Netflix customers to pay twice



wraggster
May 13th, 2014, 18:49
http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/d2e4f0cb9317304f03971f1355df1996/200110840/apps.jpg (http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/13/microsoft-drops-xbox-live-gold-hbo-go-netflix/)Microsoft announced this morning it will no longer keep Netflix, Hulu and other streaming apps behind the company's Xbox Live Gold paywall.

"Coming in June, anyone with an Xbox will be able to access popular entertainment experiences – whether or not you have an Xbox Live Gold membership," the company stated on Xbox.com (http://news.xbox.com/2014/05/xbox-delivering-more-choices). "This includes great gaming apps like Machinima, Twitch and Upload, popular video services like Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV and HBO GO, sports experiences like the NFL app for Xbox One, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL Game Center and more."

This announcement was bundled with word of an Xbox One console available in June without a Kinect (http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/13/xbox-one-no-kinect/). A year later and the Xbox One-80 (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/xbox-one-80) reversal is still going strong from the console's vision a year ago, as the company shifts executives (http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/31/phil-spencer-is-the-new-head-of-xbox/)and puts the focus of Xbox One back on games (http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/31/spencer-theyre-putting-a-gaming-person-at-the-head-of-xbox/).

Sony's PlayStation consoles and Nintendo's Wii U have never charged a premium for access to streaming services.

http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/13/microsoft-drops-xbox-live-gold-hbo-go-netflix/