HBO PS3/PS4 Ban Could Be Lifted Soon Thanks To FCC

[sc94597]

Insidb said:

sc94597 said:

Is it not important for regulations to be consistent and true to their language and intent? Even if your cable company is also your ISP this situation doesn't fit within the context of the regulation. It is a cable company choosing to not allow a service that others provide. It is the equivalent of video game consoles having exclusive video games. Furthermore, should not such a ruling also apply to companies like Apple, which will be the only devices to have the standalone HBO subscription service? I am no fan of Comcast, as I have had problems with them in the past, but I think such things need to be consistent and fair, otherwise we don't live in a liberal politicy. 

It's definitely not the same as console exclusivity: games are developed for consoles, while HBO GO is a web service. If you have a device with an internet connection, you should have full access to the internet. If you bought a console, you should have access to the games developed for that console. There is a cost involved with development that is a direct result of the unique hardware involved for each console. If that wasn't the case, we wouldn't hear about porting issues, and there never would have been the 1080p PS4/720p X1 fiasco. If the issue were centered around Comcast's unwillingness to develop an app that is PS compatible, then they would have every right to demand reasonable compensation.

You do have full access to the Internet in this case. You can download the app regardless of ISP. You just cant use a comcast cable subscription to log in. it would cost Comcast money to create a server that will accept traffic from PS4's for account verification. And of course there is the opportunity cost of platform exclusivity. Therefore they choose to not provide their CABLE subscribers with the option to log into their accounts from PS4s. Sure it is a shitty move, but it doesn't violate any current regulations on cable companies.