HBO, Apple confirm streaming service

US cablenet HBO has confirmed its partnership with tech giant Apple for the release of its streaming service next month.

Branded as HBO Now, the service will launch in time for the fifth season of fantasy series Game of Thrones, which premieres on April 12.

The previously mooted service will cost US$14.99 a month, significantly more than subscriptions to rival OTT providers such as Netflix and Amazon, and will be available via iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, or directly via the Apple TV set-top box.

HBO said it is in discussions with its existing network of distributors and new digital partners to offer HBO Now.

Similar to its HBO Go app, HBO Now will offer more than 2,000 titles online including series such as True Detective, Silicon Valley, Girls, Veep and The Leftovers, as well as classics like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, True Blood, The Wire and Deadwood.

HBO is one of numerous cable channels in the US lining up OTT offerings, with Viacom-owned Nickelodeon confirming its service last month and Starz also due to challenge Netflix and Amazon in the SVoD arena.