It seems like HBO doesn’t want people based outside of the United States to access its HBO Now internet TV streaming service, regardless of the fact that they’re paying $15 per month just as U.S. subscribers do. One can in theory use a number of unblocking tools, like VPNs, to access geo-restricted services like HBO Now. The cable giant is cracking on such users who have subscribed to its $15 per month internet TV streaming service.
HBO Now has only been launched in the United States so far. It offers live streaming of the linear channel as well as HBO’s broad collection of on demand content which includes movies, TV shows, documentaries, boxing matches and more.
Many people from all around the world use geo-restricted services like Netflix and Hulu by using VPNs so it’s not surprising that some of them have opted for HBO Now as well. After all, who wouldn’t like being able to see Game of Thrones live as it airs in the U.S. for the first time?
According to a report HBO is warning such users through email, reminding them that HBO Now is only available to residents of the United States and that their accounts will be terminated in a few days without refund. The cable giant has sent such emails to users from countries including Canada, the UK, Australia and Germany.
HBO syndicates its content throughout the world via local partners so if people in their market start circumventing these geo-restrictions to access HBO content directly, the local partners are going to lose money and they’ll certainly not be happy, which is probably why HBO has been quick to crack down on such users even though they are paying $15 per month like everybody else.
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