HBO to Hook Streamers Through Nostalgia
HBO has a plan to gain subscribers by offering new versions of old classics.
It could be said that HBO is having a little bit of a problem finding a new hit, at least when it comes to its original dramas. What it doesn’t have, however, is a viewership problem. As long as HBO remains the only home for Game of Thrones and Veep, it likely won’t have to desperately fish for new subscribers. That doesn’t mean it won’t try new things.
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According to an article from Variety, HBO’s newest plan to hook valuable streamers involves offering up new versions of nostalgic classics. As Variety also points out, HBO aired a re-edit of The Godfather trilogy in January. Kind of a big deal. Their goal is to offer a unique look at older classics — specifically classics that will create a buzz.
HBO last took on Pretty in Pink and conducted new interviews for it. The goal here isn’t to create exclusive content for HBO Now, but to create a stir on social media. HBO Now users, however, will be able to access any bonus content more easily and at their own demand.
HBO’s (long title incoming) senior vice president of program strategy and planning, Meredith Gentler, said that “it would be a missed opportunity to not take advantage of these things.” She’s right.
Next: The first trailer for Game of Thrones season six is here.
People don’t subscribe to HBO, streaming or otherwise, to see old movies. They do it to see original content. If HBO can continue to find a way to potential audiences with old movies, however, that would be a rather nice bonus.