Xbox Live TV Apps are a bust

Xbox Live TV Apps are a bust

HBO Go App and MLB.tv unavailable for many Xbox Live users

@mandamwright

Today Xbox announced that HBO GO and MLB.tv apps would be available on Xbox Live...but only for subscribers with participating TV providers.

 

Of course, the Twitterverse exploded with unhappy customers...a few complaints; how can you find out if your cable company supports the new app, what if you don’t have cable and just want to pay for the app through your Xbox Live Membership? And the strongest complaint... Comcast – the largest cable TV provider in the U.S. doesn’t support the apps. For a bold move HBOGO and MLB.TV had a devastating backlash from the Twitterverse.

How could they have rectified this?

1.     Don’t make a public statement if the much desired product isn’t available to all of your fans, it just creates bitterness (And if it is only for certain providers list them with all press releases)

2.     Why would I watch a show on my Xbox when I have to PAY for cable to be able to watch it...backwards thinking?

3.     Know your target audience, Xbox users are normally pretty tech savvy and online a lot...maybe the content should be available online and not through cable?

4.     This generation is OK with paying for content and apps if they are easily available don’t lose the sale and promote online piracy by making it harder for them to get the content.

5.     Be Smart!

P.S. Not available in Canada yet, though not their fault, our online content laws are insane.