What’s going on on HBO Max? What does that have to do with Discovery+?
HBO Max, the home of prestigious HBO TV shows, Warner Bros movies and DC Comics, along with original series like “Sex and the City” revival and Just Like That, is seeing some major changes this week, as the new owner plans a new strategy for the streaming device. and its entertainment brands, including Warner Bros movie studios, TBS, TNT, and CNN.
But in the summer of 2023, starting in the United States, Warner Bros. Discovery is the process of bringing together HBO Max and the company’s cousin Discovery+, the home of reality television from the likes of Food Network, HGTV, Magnolia Network, TLC and Discovery Channel. This will create one large streaming service under the Warner Bros. umbrella. Discovery. But what does that really mean for subscribers of each service?
We explain why the popular streaming service, which has 92 million subscriber families (mostly to HBO Max), is undergoing a revamp.
Why is HBO Max changing at all? Why combine with Discovery+?
HBO Max is the streaming service started by the company formerly known as WarnerMedia, which included the premium cable channel HBO, but also programming from cable networks including TBS, TNT, CNN, and the Warner Bros. movie studio. WarnerMedia was previously owned by AT&T, but the group announced in 2021 that it would split from WarnerMedia and merge with Discovery, a company that includes networks such as Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network and the streaming service Discovery+. The merger became official in April, and the new company is now called Warner Bros. Discovery.
The deal put HBO Max under new management, with its own ideas about what HBO Max should be. CEO David Zaslav confirmed what leadership had previously said in an earnings call with investors on Thursday: Warner Bros. Discovery to finally combine HBO Max and Discovery+ into one. “Our main priority is to launch an integrated (broadcast) service,” he said. The service will roll out in the US in the summer of 2023 (and later in other markets), and the company will release more specific details in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the Discovery+ bits are headed to HBO Max and vice versa.
more:Top 50 TV Shows on HBO Max
What Discovery Shows Are Coming To HBO Max? Magnolia and more
HBO Max is getting a big plus from its new cousin: Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network.
HBO Max announced Thursday that “Select Content” from Magnolia, currently available to stream on Discovery+, will arrive on HBO Max September 30, including “Fixer Upper: Welcome Home,” “Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines,” and all five seasons of the original. Fixer Upper. Gaines’ latest series, “Fixer Upper: The Castle,” will premiere concurrently on Magnolia Network, HBO Max and Discovery+ on October 14.
What about the Warner Bros. movies? on HBO Max?
On Wednesday, news emerged that Warner Bros. The planned and mostly completed Batgirl movie that was scheduled to debut on the service was canceled, as well as DC Comics’ Wonder Twins and Scoop!: Holiday Hunt. holiday season.
In addition to the canceled films, fans and journalists noted Thursday the removal of six HBO Max original films from the platform, including “Moonshot” starring Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor and “An American Pickle” by Seth Rogen. (Titles are still available for purchase from video on demand sites.)
On the earnings call, Zaslav was firm that he did not believe in releasing films directly to live broadcasts. “We have a different view on releasing films directly, and we have taken steps to correct the previous strategy,” he said, referring to former CEO Jason Keelar’s plan to offer original films on HBO Max.
more:Batgirl star Leslie Grace has posted a tribute to fans after Warner Bros. A movie worth $90 million
What other changes could come? For starters, CNN goes for Discovery+
Discovery+ announced Thursday that CNN shows such as “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” and “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” will be available on Discovery+ August 19 in “CNN Originals.” the new. Main. (Bordan’s first travel and food show, “No Reservations,” was already on Discovery+ because it was originally broadcast on the Travel Channel.) Earlier this year, the CNN+ streaming service was canceled by the leadership of the company. Warner Bros. Discovery just a month later.
In terms of other changes, kids and family programs are no longer a priority for the new company. CFO Gunnar Weidenfels stated on the earnings call that they were unlikely to pursue new projects, even though the company has a content library from “Looney Tunes” to “Animaniacs”.
Zaslav also addressed concerns that HBO would reduce the number of shows it produces. “We’re going to be spending a lot more on the HBO Max product,” he said. “We’re going to spend more money on content. We’re a content company.” (He didn’t say if this meant fewer offers but more cost.)
more:Top 10 Discovery+ TV Shows: From ’90-Day Fiance’ to ‘MythBusters’ to Anthony Bourdain
