HBO Channel Not All Inclusive

A few days ago I signed up for the HBO channel via the new Apple TV app and everything seemed to be okay until today when I tried to watch Vice News Tonight and noticed that it would only launch in HBO Now (an app I deleted because of the HBO subscription).

I initially tried watching from my phone and became frustrated that the app kept trying to open HBO Now (I hadn't deleted it from my phone just yet). At first I thought it was just the iOS app but when I got home to my 4K Apple TV the same thing was happening. The only way I could watch VNT was via the HBO Now app.

I really enjoy that show but was willing to let it go for the sake of accessing HBO via the Apple TV app rather than through HBO Now. But then I tried watching a stand-up comedy special and once again the only way I could watch it was via the HBO Now app. So the million dollar question is: why is only some content available via Apple's HBO channel and some content isn't? And why would anyone pay $15 -- the same as a stand-alone subscription to HBO Now -- for less content!? I could see if Apple warned people ahead of time that some content wouldn't be available but there's no way I'm paying the same amount for less.

Here's hoping Apple has an answer for this and soon.