What We Already Knew
Earlier this month, we shared these key points:
- The name HBO Max has been confirmed by AT&T.
- HBO Max will launch in Spring 2020.
- We can expect the cost to be around $16-17 per month, but that has not been confirmed.
- The library will have 10,000+ hours of content from a variety of networks.
- The launch of HBO Max will not eliminate HBO Now or HBO Go.
Original Content
We also shared a post summarizing the original content being developed by HBO Max. Since then, we learned that HBO Max is also developing a reboot of the fan favorite series Gossip Girl. WarnerMedia is investing heavily in original content and we’ll see some major names directing and acting in HBO Max originals.
Live TV, Live Sports, Live News
In the quarter 2 earnings call, AT&T confirmed that HBO Max will include live TV, including sports and news. WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey commented in an interview with CNBC that there would specifically be a CNN livestream available. The streaming service will likely be including live sports through a partnership with Bleacher Report Live.
A Merge with DIRECTV NOW
In the interview with CNBC, we also learned that AT&T has plans to eventually merge DIRECTV NOW with WarnerMedia’s streaming service to create a more substantial streaming service. The combined servive would create a “combined product with a common search and user interface.”
AT&T has commented that DIRECT NOW is no longer a major focus for the company. We also learned that DIRECTV NOW lost 168,000 subscribers in quarter 2. Blending the streaming service with the premium content that will be available through HBO Max could bring subscriber numbers back up for AT&T.
Possible Bundle Packages with AT&T Wireless
AT&T reporter that their wireless service was continuing to grow even faster than industry analysts estimated. While we know that AT&T plans for HBO Max to be a standalone service, many are speculating that the company will also have an offer allowing subscribers to bundle HBO Max with AT&T wireless for a discounted price.
We can expect to learn more about plan for HBO Max when AT&T holds their investor presentation on October 29.
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