Warner Bros. Discovery once again changes plans in its streaming strategy. The David Zaslav-led company intended to merge its two streaming platforms, HBO Max and Discovery+, into one this year.. A logical step after the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery.
However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the company has made up its mind maintain Discovery+ as a standalone platform offer the most options to customers, especially regarding subscription prices.
And what about HBO Max? Apparently, They move forward with the launch of a new streaming platform that integrates all content from HBO Max and a large portion of Discovery + content. Simply, those who want to access only Discovery+ content and not pay more for Warner or HBO series and films will be able to continue to do so. The new platform is expected to launch this year and a price increase is still expected as it also includes Discovery content.
As we said, the key is in the price. In the US, HBO Max currently costs $15.99 a month ($9.99 a month for the ad-supported version), while Discovery+ has a $6.99 a month subscription. If they merged both platforms, the price range would start at more than $10/month as the rate would increase to be expected. By leaving only the option to subscribe to Discovery+, they keep a cheaper option for those who are only interested in documentaries and reality TV.
Also a free platform (with ads)
Furthermore, the Wall Street Journal points out that they also plan to launch another new streaming platform (yes, another one) that would be free but with ads, like Pluto TV. In it we would find “a variety of channels including content from the Warner Bros. library, as well as programs that may first be seen on HBO and Discovery channels”, so we would not have all the content available. No date range has been specified for its release, nor whether it will be released outside the United States.
In Spain, HBO Max costs €8.99 a month or €69.99 a year. Discovery +, for its part, has a cost of 3.99 euros per month or 35.99 euros per year.
Source: E Cartelera
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
