Premium 'boob tube' provider
expands on 'series of tubes'

HBO on Broadband, a video download service, launches today. The service is currently a free add-on to HBO and HBO On Demand for Time Warner Cable subscribers in Green Bay and Milwaukee.

The premium cable company decided to go broadband after finding customers were keen on its On Demand offerings.

In addition to On Demand, HBO Broadband offers 600 TV and film titles per month, and a live stream of the main HBO channel, reports Reuters. Programming will be available to viewers for at least a month each.

The service was designed with travelers in mind. Available for up to five users per household, material can download to up to five devices on Microsoft XP or newer operating systems. A Mac-friendly version is on its way.

There is no word on when it will be available to US subscribers beyond Green Bay or Milwaukee.

HBO on Broadband debuts as other entertainment peddlers rethink existing digital strategies. Wal-Mart recently castrated its video download service, while Apple launched an online film rental service on iTunes.