Report: HBO will launch standalone online streaming service next year

HBO announced that a standalone, online streaming of its service would launch sometime in 2015, giving cord-cutters one more reason to consider ditching their cable or satellite service. The service will be designed more for the 10 million potential customers in the U.S. that don't currently have cable or TV service, as content providers look for new ways to expand.

The company will work with "current partners" and could expand to new content partners, but HBO CEO Richard Plepler didn't disclose additional details about what customers can expect.

This is a significant step forward for HBO, which traditionally was happy to work with pay-TV providers, but HBO and other providers have been under pressure to innovate.