Major streaming services upped their game in 2022 with the launch of ad-supported tiers, new live sports offerings, blockbuster original series and more.
As the streaming wars continue to escalate, media companies have no choice but to raise the stakes. From a merged HBO Max/Discovery+ streaming service to Netflix’s password-sharing offering.
Here’s what SVOD (subscription video on demand) streaming services have planned for next year and beyond.
What is HBO Max/Discovery+ planning for 2023?
Earlier this year, Discovery acquired WarnerMedia to create Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which has become one of the largest media companies in the United States.
As TechCrunch has reported numerous times, HBO Max and Discovery+ are combining in 2023.
This spring, WBD will launch a merged streaming service that pairs HBO originals and Warner Bros. Movies with Discovery+’s content library of unscripted shows, documentaries and more.
In total, subscribers will have access to nearly 200,000 hours of programming and more than 100 brands, such as CNN, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Food Network, TLC, HGTV, ID, Animal Planet and many more.
The streaming service will reportedly be called just “Max” and will debut in the US before launching in Latin America and then Europe in 2024.
While an ad-free and ad-supported option will be available, the ad-free offering will likely cost more than subscribers pay now for the HBO Max premium plan, which is $14.99 per month.
“Max,” or whatever the company chooses to call it, will be a major contender in the streaming wars. HBO, HBO Max and Discovery+ ended Q3 2022 with a total of 94.9 million global subscribers.
WBD is also busy planning a free ad-supported streaming service (FAST) to keep up with competitors in the FAST market, including Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi and Amazon Freevee, among others.
Recently, the company pulled over a dozen HBO originals from HBO Max, which will soon move to third-party streaming services.
These include “Westworld,” “The Nevers,” “Raised by Wolves,” “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Love Life,” “Made for Love,” “Minx,” “Finding Magic Mike,” “Head of the Class “, “FBOY Island”, “Legendary”, “Gordita Chronicles” and “The Garcias”.
We assume that once WBD launches its FAST offering, it will offer these titles.
HBO Max: Do you like Discovery? No? Too bad we give it to you and charge you more for it! And we’ll probably cancel other things you enjoy because of the tax write-off.
AppleTV: Please check out our content! There are other good shows to watch besides Ted Lass, we promise!
Netflix: Hey, you know that show you just finished the first season and really enjoyed? The one going into production for season 2? Yes, we canceled it.
Sources: Techcrunch | Reddit