Latin Media Leaders: HBO Latin America/HBO Go

DIGITAL INNOVATOR

HBO LATIN AMERICA, HBO GO

In late 2011 HBO Latin America gave notice of its intention to launch its TV Everywhere service HBO Go throughout Latin America and 2012 was about delivering on that pledge.

Emilio Rubio, president of HBO Latin America Group, says ownership of the digital space is a key strategic goal for the company. “It is pivotal to our operation and critical to stay relevant and to provide our affiliates and subscribers with the technology and experience they are seeking,” he says. “With HBO Go, they not only have access to the HBO experience on their TVs, but now also wherever they go, anytime.”

Having rolled out in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela earlier in the year, HBO Go launched in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay at the end of 2012.

HBO Go allows HBO subs to stream shows to digital and mobile devices and receive alerts when new shows become available. As well as access to recent seasons of Boardwalk Empire and other staples of the linear channel’s schedule, it allows customers to watch all previous seasons of titles including The Sopranos, Mad Men and local series including Capadocia.

As usage data comes in, the Time Warner owned premium programmer is starting to better understand how subscribers are using the service.

“We have seen different tendencies with HBO Go usage,” Rubio says. “It allows subscribers to follow series closer, because they have access to all the episodes without the limitation of a schedule. Blockbusters movies also do well. The surprise has been regarding lesser-known titles, which have been getting more attention because the service allows experimentation: if you start watching it and don’t like it, you can move to another title that will be starting the moment you select it, unlike TV.”

LATIN MEDIA LEADERS 2012/13

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: ENRIQUE R. MARTINEZ, DISCOVERY LAT-AM

MOST SUCCESSFUL US HISPANIC EXECUTIVE: CESAR CONDE, UNIVISION

MOST INFLUENTIAL INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE: HERNAN LOPEZ, FOX

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: PEDRO LEDA, LEADFILMS

MOST INFLUENTIAL PRODUCTION COMPANY: DANIEL GUTMAN, POWWOW

BEST FORMAT: CAIGA QUIEN CAIGA, EYEWORKS CUATRO CABEZAS

BEST TELENOVELA: Eva Luna

BEST DOCUMENTARY: EXTREME PLANET, GLOBO TV

BEST FORMAT: CAIGA QUIEN CAIGA, EYEWORKS CUATRO CABEZAS

DIGITAL INNOVATOR: HBO LATIN AMERICA

BEST SCRIPTED FORMAT: TERMINALES