(RNN) – Netflix, you have met your match with Amazon Prime's latest move.
The Amazon-based streaming service announced Wednesday that they will stream HBO original series beginning May 21. This is the first streaming deal HBO has signed with an online video service in its history.
The list of shows that will be aired includes all seasons of The Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Deadwood, Rome, Oz, Flight of the Concords, Eastbound and Down and Enlightened. It will also provide in limited release currently-running series Boardwalk Empire and True Blood, with a multi-year deal that will provide The Newsroom, Veep and Girls in the future.
HBO's miniseries collection including the WWII-themed Band of Brothers and The Pacific as well as comedy specials and original movies are part of the deal.
Not included is the popular Game of Thrones or shows in cable syndication like Sex in the City, Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm, a few of their most popular series. You will still need your HBO Go accounts and a cable or satellite subscription for those, so don't cancel them – yet.
With the announcement that Netflix will increase their rate at some point in 2014 and Amazon Prime starting at $7.99 a month, this might be the first streaming service that can pick away at Netflix's more than 2 million subscribers.
Time's Alex Fitzpatrick asserted that this move by Amazon and HBO is specifically geared toward millennials obsessed with on-demand television they missed because they were too young to watch Tony Soprano fade to black.
But it really applies to everyone in this go-go-go society who wants to keep up with friends and coworkers in conversations. No one wants to hear spoilers because they can't afford HBO.
A little something from YouTube: A rabbit's got to do what a rabbit's got to do
Bunny rabbits have become the unofficial spirit animal of Easter (thanks a lot, Peter Cottontail).
But given the other close association (their propensity to procreate), the anchors at WBIR in Knoxville, TN, might try to get another animal to represent the cutesy theme for Easter.
Two rabbits fell in love on the anchor desk during a live broadcast and did what rabbits do best. Hey – sometimes a rabbit's got to do what a rabbit's got to do.
Sports: ESPN will air first NFL playoff game in network's history
In their best effort to take over sports, ESPN announced Tuesday that it will air its first NFL playoff game in its 35-year history, beginning in January 2015.
The network will air a wild-card playoff game as well as the NFL Pro Bowl as a part of the network's new rights agreement with the NFL. ESPN will continue to air Monday Night Football.
The broadcast crew of Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and sideline reporter Lisa Salters will call the playoff game and the Pro Bowl.
ESPN President John Skipper said the network is "thrilled" to be airing the games. The Pro Bowl, the NFL's all star game, will be leaving the scenic sights of Hawaii and will be played at the site of that year's Super Bowl, beginning in 2015.
The NFL released its complete 2014 regular season schedule Wednesday night. The schedule includes the season opener on NBC, where the Green Bay Packers will visit the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 4. A Super Bowl XLVIII rematch will also take place in Seattle during Week 3, when the Denver Broncos visit the home of the 12th Man; New England will visit Kansas City in Week 4 and the 16th installment of Manning vs. Brady will take place in Week 9 in Foxborough.
TV: Brian Williams calls Jimmy Fallon out on him rapping the news … and it's hilarious
In case you've missed the most recent edition of Jimmy Fallon's mashup of news anchor Brian Williams and rap songs, click here and enjoy.
But according to the NBC Nightly News managing editor and anchor Williams, he's never said "hippity" – and would never say it in a warzone.
So as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, Williams read Fallon the riot act and even threw out a few suggestions for the eighth installment of the popular late night talk show skit.
"What about some pre-hearing loss Foxy Brown?" Williams asked hilariously. "What about – any Luda [Ludacris]?"
The usually tempered and mild mannered Williams showed off his funny bone Tuesday night, but did admit whoever the guy is who has been splicing up five years of Williams' news footage is a little spooky. But I want to be the intern who had to tell Williams a few lyrics to Ludacris' Roll Out.
The entire interview, in two parts on Jimmy Fallon's YouTube page, is worth a watch. It will make you love Brian Williams.
Movies: ‘Captain America' dominates for third straight week
There is no stopping Captain America.
The comic book sequel spent its third week atop the box office, with a total gross of more than $200 million worldwide. Last week's debuts, Transcendence and A Haunted House 2, entered the Top 5 at fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The angelic feature Heaven is for Real debuted in the no. 2 spot, raking in more than $22 million in its first weekend.
Here's last weekend's Top 5, according to Box Office Mojo (listed next to previous week's ranking and weekend gross):
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (1) $25,587,056
- Heaven is for Real (NR) $22,522,221
- Rio 2 (2) $22,159,742
- Transcendence (NR) $10, 886,386
- A Haunted House 2 (NR) $8,843,875
In theaters: April 25
The Other Woman – A lawyer (Cameron Diaz) discovers that not only is her boyfriend married (to Leslie Mann), but that he has another woman (Kate Upton, because who wouldn't want to date Kate Upton) on the side. Together, the three women get over their sulking and devise a plan to get back at the serial cheater. The film also stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Don Johnson and Nicki Minaj.
Brick Mansions – In the last completed film before his untimely death, Paul Walker plays an undercover cop in Detroit who teams up with a shifty ex-con to take down a powerful drug lord who rules in a crime empire behind a containment wall. The movie also stars RZA (from the Wu-Tang Clan) and David Belle.
Also in theaters: The Quiet Ones, Locke, Young & Beautiful, Blue Rain, The German Doctor, For No Good Reason, Walking with the Enemy
Honorable mention
Your Week in Music: Beyonce teams up with Boots in ‘dreamy' new song – Raycom News Network
Stephen Colbert delivers Top 10 list, takes selfie with David Letterman – Defamer
What women really want: 7 things every guy can do to be perfect for her – Elite Daily
The (not-so) definitive (and must be discussed) ranking of the 102 best animated Disney songs – BuzzFeed
Now Leonardo DiCaprio could be the new Steve Jobs – Gawker
The first week at a new job vs. a year later – BuzzFeed
Emma Stone calls out Andrew Garfield's casual sexism in the most perfect way – Huffington Post
(Dis)honorable mention
‘Call of Duty' player becomes victim of ‘swatting' – Raycom News Network
Ku Klux Klan launches neighborhood watch, 24-hour ‘Klanline' in Pennsylvania – Gawker
Domestic duck with ‘dangerous propensities' leads to $275K lawsuit – Fox 12 Oregon
CNN shamelessly wonders about the Ku Klux Klan's rebranding potential – Gawker
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Amazon's new streaming deal with HBO might poach some of Netflix's more than 2 million subscribers. (Source: Seth Anderson/MGN Online)
