[Update: WarnerMedia has clarified that the plan to merge HBO Max and Discovery Plus into one platform is still moving forward. However, Discovery Plus will remain as a less expensive standalone option in the US. Our original story follows]
Warner Bros. Discovery continues steadying the corporate ship. According to new reports, that involves doing away with previous plans to repackageHBO Maxand Discovery Plus under a new streaming service, thus leaving both platforms in their current form, at least for now.
Since theWarnerMedia and Discovery merger, speculation regarding HBO’s handling of its streaming branch has run rampant. To this day, even the HBO Go VOD service remains active in certain parts of the world. The last piece of news on this topic claimed thatHBO Maxand Discovery Plus would combine into a new subscription called “Max,” though even back then, there were reports of some executives not being too thrilled with the name.
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HBO Max without ads costs $15.99 a month, while the ad-supported subscription costs $9.99. This is still more expensive than the ad-free Discovery Plus, priced at $6.99 ($4.99 with ads). That reasoning, combined with thedesire to keep HBO’s prestige intact, doesn’t directly rule out rebranding HBO Max, possibly as “Max." Yet in such a scenario, HBO productions would still be the clear priority and selling point, without guaranteeing prices won’t be raised.
Lastly, Warner Bros. Discovery is also planning to introduce a free ad-supported streaming alternative this year to lure potential customers into paid subscriptions, be it HBO or Discovery. It’s beyonddebate that streaming marketing is experiencing problemsat the moment, as Netflix was recently forced to walk back on its anti-password sharing measure, and every company struggles to make a case on why users should spend so much money on their respective services.
At least when it comes to the DC Universe,James Gunn already has a plan, but as far as HBO and Discovery are concerned, Warner still has a lot of details to iron out in 2023. So, do not expect a90-Day FiancéandThe Last of Uscrossover on HBO Max anytime soon.
