HBO — looking to keep pace with online rival Netflix — is planning to bring its Internet-video service to Google’s cheap Chromecast device for TVs.

“We are actively exploring supporting Chromecast as another way for our subscribers to enjoy HBO Go, but at this point we can’t comment on specific plans regarding timing,” HBO rep Laura Young said in an email. HBO’s interest in the Google streaming device was previously reported by tech site GigaOm.

Google last Wednesday announced the $35 Chromecast dongle, a USB-size adapter that plugs into the back of an HDTV — and its initial stock sold out online within 24 hours.

Out of the box, Chromecast supports video from Netflix and YouTube, along with movie, TV show and music purchases from Google Play store. The surge in sales was driven in part by Google’s offer of three free months of Netflix service to new and existing subscribers; the Internet giant ended that promo within a day after the overwhelming demand.

SEE ALSO: Google Chromecast’s Real Genius: It’s Cheap and Dumb

HBO Go lets subscribers of its TV service watch some 1,400 titles — including every episode of the premium cabler’s original series such as “Game of Thrones,” ”True Blood” and older shows such as “The Sopranos” — on a range of Internet-connected devices.

Through the Chromecast’s “cast” feature, HBO Go and other video sites are viewable on TV through a Chrome browser on a computer. But that experience is not optimized for the Chromecast approach of using mobile devices as a remote control.

Streaming-music service Pandora will soon support Chromecast, according to Google. Others lining up in the queue for the suddenly popular Internet video device include Vimeo.

A rep for ESPN, which offers the Watch ESPN service in partnership with pay TV providers, declined to comment on whether the programmer is considering support for Chromecast.

The Apple TV set-top, which retails for $99, recently added support for both HBO Go and WatchESPN, adding to a lineup that includes Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo and iTunes Store content purchases.





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