Discovery

HBO is rolling out a new broadband video service that will let TV subscribers access about 400 hours of movies and TV shows. HBO Broadband will be available to selected Wisconsin customers this week, with a phased rollout scheduled for the rest of the country.

The content will vary from month to month, and each month you’ll be able to download every single episode of a different HBO original series. This month the service includes some episodes from popular shows like The Wire, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Deadwood, and Flight of the Conchords.

HBO Broadband will be free for existing HBO subscribers. It’s not clear if there will be a way for non-cable customers to access HBO content for a fee. Unlike similar services from broadcast networks, HBO Broadband programming will be available through a PC application, not a web site. There’s no Mac, Linux, or portable device client available yet. Videos are also only watchable for 4 weeks after they’re downloaded.

The application lets users set up an account for each member of the family with separate preferences. Parents can also block their children’s access to adult content.