WarnerMedia has announced a May 2020 launch date for new subscription streaming service HBO Max, which full include the complete HBO service and library of content, as well as new original content. That will add up to around 10,000 hours of content available at launch, including past hit HBO shows like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, and newly acquired content like South Park, Friends and Rick and Morty.
HBO already has two streaming services: HBO Go, which is available to customers with an existing HBO cable package, and HBO Now, which is the option for cord-cutters. However, while those are focused on making existing HBO shows available to stream, HBO Max will be a much more robust service, offering not only the entire HBO library but also 31 new originals within its first year, growing to 50 in 2021, and a large additional library of licensed content. With all this in one package, HBO Max represents serious competition for Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services.
Details about HBO Max were revealed during a special presentation by WarnerMedia in Burbank, California. Though it was previously reported that the streaming service would cost $16-17 a month, it will actually be slightly cheaper at $14.99 a month. That’s the same price point that HBO Now currently has, and for a lot more content. While there’s been no indication so far that HBO Max will replace HBO Now, it seems likely that subscribers will migrate over to the new service in order to access all the extra movies and shows. Check out a sizzle reel for HBO Max below.
WarnerMedia was acquired by AT&T in 2018 (after an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice was ruled in the conglomerate’s favor), and AT&T will be heavily pushing HBO Max to its 170 million-strong existing customer base in the coming months. The first year of HBO Max will be available for free to customers who have an existing AT&T TV service.
HBO Max’s content library will include the entire collection of Studio Ghibli feature films (as well as access to more anime on Crunchyroll), DC Universe shows like Swamp Thing and Doom Patrol, and a brand new Green Lantern TV show from Arrowverse producer Greg Berlanti. However, the big draw will likely end up being its collection of sitcoms, which have proven to be some of the most binged content on other streaming platforms. In addition to the aforementioned comedy titles, HBO Max has also acquired streaming rights to The Big Bang Theory - which will be available at launch.
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