WarnerMedia is shifting into the already-crowded streaming service market this Might with HBO Max. The brand new streaming platform will mix titles from throughout the Warner Bros. movie and TV library in addition to introduce authentic movies and sequence, however it must compete with established companies like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, in addition to CBS All Access, Disney+, Apple TV+, and NBCUniversal’s Peacock.
So, how will HBO Max set itself aside? Let’s check out all the things we all know to this point about this upcoming service.
Leap to: HBO Max Information | HBO Max Originals | Streaming Library
HBO Max
HBO MAX INFORMATION
HBO Max arrives in Might 2020. WarnerMedia has not but introduced a precise launch date, however the service is slated to debut in Might.
It’s going to value $14.99 monthly. Which means an HBO Max subscription will value fairly a bit extra monthly than rivals Disney+ ($6.99), Apple TV+ ($4.99), and Netflix ($12.99).
AT&T clients with HBO subscriptions will not need to pay additional. AT&T is providing HBO Max at no further cost to the roughly 10 million HBO subscribers already on its distribution platforms. In the meantime, HBO Now customers who subscribe on to HBO via HBONow.com may even have entry to the service. WarnerMedia is in discussions with distributors like Roku to verify clients on third-party companies get HBO Max, too, so updates on which can be to come back.
There may be an choice to bundle. AT&T clients on premium video, cellular, and broadband companies will likely be provided bundles with HBO Max included at no further cost.
It will additionally head to YouTube TV. YouTube TV announced in February that HBO could be obtainable on its platform this spring. HBO Max will also be available on YouTube TV when it launches in Might.
What occurs to DC Universe clients: HBO Max boss Kevin Reilly introduced on the Tv Critics Affiliation winter press tour in January that the precise partnership between HBO Max and DC Universe continues to be being labored out, however he hopes the companies will “work in tandem.” Reilly added, “We’re hoping to honor the followers. Within the managing all of that with DC, that is an important a part of the equation.”
It will not put out as a lot authentic content material as some rivals. In a presentation for traders on Oct. 29, 2019, WarnerMedia Leisure chair Robert Greenblatt mentioned that HBO Max wasn’t centered on “the variety of instances at bat,” however relatively on “hitting a house run each time.” Which may imply a smaller roster of titles than, say, competing streamer Netflix. “We truly suppose the worth proposition improves once we slim the choices, eradicating a lot of the filler nobody watches anyway,” Greenblatt mentioned.
New exhibits will launch episodes weekly. As a substitute of releasing whole seasons directly, à la Netflix, HBO Max will roll out new episodes weekly. Previous seasons will likely be obtainable to binge, although.
There’s an HBO Max teaser trailer! In mid-February, HBO Max launched a teaser trailer for the service, that includes clips of a number of exhibits coming to the service, reminiscent of South Park, Recreation of Thrones, Mates, and plenty of extra. There are not any clips of authentic programming, as the aim of the trailer is to spark nostalgia in potential subscribers.
Leap to: HBO Max Information | HBO Max Originals | Streaming Library
Blake Energetic and Leighton Meester, Gossip Woman
HBO MAX ORIGINALS
HBO Max will make 50 authentic titles obtainable by 2021. HBO Max’s original titles — 38 in 2020, with a further 12 being added for 2021– are aimed primarily at three demographics: youngsters and households, millennials and Gen Z, and grownup girls. The streamer will launch between 5 and 10 new originals per yr after that.
Sure, a Mates reunion particular is nigh. After several month of rumors, HBO confirmed in February that it will be delivering an unscripted reunion special that includes all six central (perk) Friends stars: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc. The reunion particular was initially anticipated to reach in Might, when the streaming service debuts, nevertheless, manufacturing on the particular was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and can premiere at one other, as-yet-undetermined date.
A ton of unique new exhibits and films are being created for the service. HBO Max may have a large library of all-new scripted and unscripted choices. Highlights embody a Gossip Girl sequel sequence (that includes the return of Kristen Bell) following a brand new technology of Higher East Siders grappling with the social panorama of New York non-public college life; a canine grooming competitors sequence that includes superstar canine groomer Jess Rona; a Green Lantern series from Arrowverse creator Greg Berlanti; and Steven Soderbergh’s Let Them All Talk, starring Meryl Streep as an creator who goes on a journey with outdated associates. Here is a complete list of the unique exhibits and films HBO Max is making.
It is venturing into the comedy sport too. HBO Max will increase its authentic slate via the addition of stand-up specials from Tracy Morgan (The Final O.G.); John Early (Search Get together); Rose Matafeo, an Edinburgh Comedy Award winner; and Ahir Shah, a double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee. The streaming service has additionally partnered with Conan O’Brien and Group Coco to convey further specials to its library. O’Brien will host two specials that characteristic brief units from up-and-coming comics whereas curating hour-long units from three comedians. Along with these 5 specials, HBO Max has additionally bought the rights to a one-hour particular from James Veitch.
Some current exhibits are on the transfer. Search Party is shifting from TBS to HBO Max for its upcoming third season, which will likely be obtainable upon the platform’s launch (as will the primary two seasons). The streaming service has already picked up the present for Season 4. Adventure Time is being revived for HBO Max as effectively with four hour-long specials. Moreover, Sesame Street is shifting from HBO to HBO Max starting with Season 51. The deal contains 5 new seasons of Sesame Road, a variety of new spin-offs and specials, and the present’s whole 50-year library. New episodes will proceed to air on PBS Children after premiering on HBO Max. With the top of AT&T’s Viewers Community, three exhibits might doubtlessly transfer to HBO Max. Viewers Community sequence Mr. Mercedes, Condor, and Loudermilk, have all been left in limbo because the streamer closes its doorways, however in line with The Hollywood Reporter, they may reside on with HBO Max.
Leap to: HBO Max Information | HBO Max Originals | Streaming Library
Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow, Mates
STREAMING LIBRARY
HBO Max will characteristic an enormous library of current exhibits and films. The brand new streaming service will characteristic titles from throughout Warner’s properties, together with Warner Bros., HBO, New Line, DC Leisure, CNN, TNT, TBS, TruTV, Turner Basic Motion pictures, Cartoon Community, Grownup Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Tooth, Looney Tunes, and extra.
The film slate is spectacular. Movies set to hit the platform all through 2020 embody When Harry Met Sally, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Wonder Woman, Joker, Casablanca, and the complete Studio Ghibli collection.
Your outdated TV favorites have a brand new residence. This library will embody the unique streaming rights to all 10 seasons of Friends, which leaves Netflix in the new year, in addition to The West Wing, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Pretty Little Liars. WarnerMedia may even be the first streaming home for all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory and fellow Chuck Lorre comedy Two and a Half Men.
Followers may stream full seasons of ongoing exhibits. New CW sequence like Batwoman, Nancy Drew, and the Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene will stream on HBO Max after every season concludes. HBO Max may even boast the exclusive streaming rights to the BBC’s Doctor Who (although not the traditional sequence that aired from 1963-1989), Top Gear, and Luther beginning subsequent yr. And South Park and Rick and Morty, that are currently streaming on Hulu, will be moving to HBO Max as soon as it launches.
HBO’s new content material will likely be a significant characteristic. Depend on seeing a few of your HBO favorites obtainable on the streaming service, together with upcoming new exhibits that may even be obtainable to HBO subscribers, like Stephen King‘s The Outsider, Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams‘ horror sequence Lovecraft Nation, Joss Whedon‘s The Nevers, Julian Fellowes‘ The Gilded Age, David E. Kelley‘s The Undoing, and Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon.
Sports activities would possibly grow to be a fixture … ultimately. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson revealed over the summer that HBO Max would possibly ultimately get into the reside sports activities enterprise, with a watch on NBA, MLB, and soccer video games.
Cinemax content material is not going to be a part of HBO Max: Regardless of sharing half a reputation, HBO sibling community Cinemax is not going to be becoming a member of the HBO Max get together. Reilly and Michael Quigley (govt vp of content material acquisitions for TNT, TBS, truTV, HBO, and HBO Max) confirmed in January 2020 that Cinemax legacy exhibits like Banshee and Strike Back is not going to be coming to the brand new streaming service.
HBO Max will arrive in Might 2020.
(Disclosure: TV Information is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of ViacomCBS.)