Warner Bros. Discovery seems to be erasing the wall between Max and linear HBO. According to The Hollywood Reporter, some Max subscribers have been granted access to HBO cable channels through the app. Starting today, test of simulcasts of HBO’s various cable networks is being integrated into the platform for users with an ad-free subscription. The announcement comes on the heels of Disney Plus adding ESPN and more Hulu titles to its platform.
Aptly titled the Channels feature, the new option allows users to view HBO, HBO 2, HBO Signature, HBO Comedy, and HBO Zone proper live, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Viewers can also control what they’re watching with the ability to rewind, fast-forward, and restart the content. While much of the HBO content already exists on the streamer, the Channels feature is said to provide easier access so users can avoid the endless scrolling through different menus and interfaces.
Today’s move is another step closer to the streaming platforms becoming universal one-stop shops for the various films, series, and other content under their corporate umbrellas. Last year, Disney Plus merged Hulu programming onto its platform after purchasing Comcast’s majority share in the streamer. And in April, something similar occurred with Paramount Plus as it enveloped all of Showtime’s original content, becoming the awkwardly titled Paramount+ with Showtime. It’s a sign studios are seeking budget-savvy strategies in the wake of an industry experiencing contraction after a global pandemic and a historic dual-labor strike.
In addition to merging properties, streamers are itching to keep up with Netflix by offering various cost-effective vantage points for consumer consumption. Netflix’s success with its ad tier reverberated throughout the industry, with many platforms following suit. Next, came the bundles — such as Comcast’s StreamSaver and Disney Plus’s Hulu and Max trio. The future appears to pair cable’s best parts with its streaming counterpart, or, release them all together as Comcast recently did.
Anything is possible in the wild wild west of Hollywood. Stay tuned for the latest developments and their impact.