HBO Now Has Launched, But Does It Help Apple?

Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX) and HBO's new streaming subscription service was launched on some Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) devices this Tuesday.

A free trial of HBO Now is offered via Apple TV and an app on the iOS App Store. The launch was probably scheduled ahead of this Sunday's awaited premiere of "Game of Thrones."

The new HBO Now channel will automatically appear on second and third generation Apple TV devices; the iOS app can be downloaded for free at the App Store. After the free trial period expires, the service will cost $14.99 per month.

Related Link: Why Apple Needs To Educate Consumers About The Apple Watch

Does It Help Apple?

J.P. Morgan analyst Rod Hall provided a few thoughts on the event in a report rolled out Wednesday morning.

He says Game of Thrones "is good," but at J.P. Morgan, their analysts prefer Silicon Valley. As for HBO Now, they continue to see it as "further evidence that subscription TV bundles are cracking and will continue to lose share to cable cutters at an accelerated pace –particularly as Apple likely updates the AppleTV beginning with the announcement of an app store at WWDC in June."

On the whole, Hall states the latest news has a Neutral impact on Apple stock.