• by David Goetzl , March 4, 2011

HBO is increasing its commitment to its service, allowing subscribers to access its content on the move. Among 1,400-plus titles, "HBO Go" now has every episode of library content such as "The Sopranos" and "Sex and the City" available, as well as past and current successes, "Boardwalk Empire" and "Entourage," respectively, and various films. 

The on-demand offering works on an authentication "TV Everywhere"-type basis, where subscribers proving they pay for HBO at home can view content on their laptops from anywhere in the U.S. that has broadband.

So far, Comcast, Verizon FiOS, Cox and AT&T U-verse are offering the service free to HBO customers.

"HBO Go is the most robust collection of high-quality, exclusive online content," stated Eric Kessler, co-president of HBO. A "Go" user can set up a system that automatically informs when a new episode of a show becomes available.

HBO parent Time Warner has been aggressive at urging the cable industry to adopt a service that allows out-of-home access with authentication, figuring it is a way to reach digitally savvy customers. But it can also appease cable/satellite/telco operators opposed to a programmer providing the same content free online that they pay networks to offer. Time Warner's TNT and TBS do offer episodes online gratis.