HBO Max and Discovery+ to combine into 1 streamer next summer
What's the future of HBO Max after the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger? The company has provided a few new details.
During a highly anticipated earnings call on Thursday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced its two streaming services, HBO Max and Discovery+, will be combined into a single offering in the United States in summer 2023. Discovery+ is focused largely on unscripted content from brands like HGTV and Food Network, while HBO Max includes a variety of WarnerMedia brands and original scripted content.
Thursday's earnings call was closely watched after Warner Bros. Discovery surprisingly canceled a nearly completed Batgirl movie, reportedly due to CEO David Zaslav's desire to move the company away from original streaming movies. Since then, reports revealed HBO Max has been removing a variety of flims and TV shows from its service, sparking frenzied speculation about the streamer's fate under its new ownership.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But the earnings call suggested any dramatic overhaul or rebranding of HBO Max isn't likely to come for at least another year. It still hasn't been revealed what the combined streaming service will be called and whether it will retain the HBO Max name, but details are expected to be announced closer to launch.
JB Perrette, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and president of global streaming and games, described HBO Max and Discovery+ as "unique and complementary" services, the former of which offers "appointment viewing" and the latter of which offers "comfort viewing."
Underlining the wide variety of brands the company plans to bring under one umbrella, a graphic was shown during the earnings call showcasing Warner Bros. Discovery's biggest franchises. The collection included Batman, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and "the 90 Day Fiancé Universe."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Why Māori are protesting in New Zealand
A controversial bill has ignited a 'flashpoint in race relations' as opponents claim it will undermine the rights of Indigenous people
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 21, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published