HBO Go Blocked on PS4 by Comcast, Just Like on PS3

[binary solo]

sc94597 said:

binary solo said:

Ahhh no. That's not a logically analogous situation, which seems to indicate you have no idea what this is fundamentally about. An analogous situation gaming-wise would be the ISP blocking access to online game content for the PS3/4 version of a multiplat even though the publisher has made that content available to owners of the PS3/4 versions of said game, and said content is freely accessible to people who use a different ISP.

Or if you want a utility version, it would be the electricy company blocking electricy supply to your washing machine (imagining that such a thing is technically feasible for the sake of discussion) because it is a washing machine you didn;t buy from the utility company. Because the utility company happens to be a home appliance retailer as well as a utility company.

The service people are trying to access is HBOGo, which is not a Comcast product. So Comcast isn't "not providing the service". The service Comcast is providing is as an ISP. Hence Comcast is blocking access to a service.

Anyway, I'm glad I live in a country where this sort of shit could not legally happen...I think...pretty sure...maybe I need to look into this a bit more. 

Except this is not an internet block. It is an account block. I'm almost sure that if I had a Verizon account that has HBO GO and tried using it on a PS4 connected to Comcast I will be able to view the content in question. Nowhere did it say it was ISP based, just HBO subscriber based. Comcast provides the subscription that they are using to log in. Without the subscription, you can't log in. 

 

That's irrelevant. The only reason Comcast can block access is because it is that person's ISP, no other reason.  Therefore it is Comcast's position as the ISP that is preventing people from accessing a service (HBOGo) not owned by Comcast. An ISP should not be allowed to selectively block accounts for access to services that are not their own.

HBO may be an accessory here if HBO has made certain deals with certain ISP/cable providers to funnel content delivery in certain ways. And if such collusion has been going on between HBO and some ISPs then that needs to have a light shone on it.

Until proven otherwise this situation is a clear indication of a utility provider (ISP) using it's position as an ISP to try to force people to access a service in a certain way. It is not that much different to MS using it's position of dominance in PC OS to try to get people to use Explorer as their web browser, a practicve for which MS got into all sorts of legal trouble.

As a cable provider Comcast should not be able to use its position as such to force someone to access HBOGo via the internet through a Comcast account where Comcast is also the ISP. Cable TV abnd internet are completely separate services and even though a company provides both services there should be an arms length relationship when it comes to allowing access to content that can be accessed through both services. 

I doubt you can guarantee access to a non-cable subscrition linked internet HBOGo subscription through Comcast internet. Because Comcast will still be able to tell the account is linked to a COmcast subscription and thius block access, unless and until Comcast is hauled over the legal coals for such a practice. Unless of course youy are a Comcast employee and you know that Comcast will free up acces sin this way. Are you a Comcast employee?