HBO Max 3a3vh Discovery+ Will Merge Into a Single Streaming Platform Starting 2023

The HBO Max and Discovery+ mega-merger is expected to launch in the Asia-Pacific region by mid-2024. 6b5h12

By Rahul Chettiyar | Updated: 5 August 2022 16:26 IST

HBO Max, Discovery+ Will Merge Into a Single Streaming Platform Starting 2023

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery 5d5a17

As part of the merger, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav cancelled the Batgirl movie

Highlights

Latin America gain access in fall 2023, Europe by early 2024
HBO Max and Discovery+ merged service to have ad-free, lite, only tiers
No pricing details for HBO Max and Discovery+’s new streaming platform

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HBO Max and Discovery+ will combine into a single brand starting the summer of 2023. In a Q2 2022 earnings call webcast, Warner Bros. Discovery detailed its expansion plans, following a merger earlier this year. The currently unnamed platform, headed by CEO David Zaslav, will first release in the US, after which it will move into other regions. “With respect to streaming, our main priority right now is launching an integrated SVOD [subscription video on demand] service,” he said. “Our streaming strategy has evolved over the past year and really reflects the importance of rather than the dependence on this segment of our global content monetization plan.”

According to the expansion plans laid out by HBO Max months after the original launch, with the latter (Europe) being restricted to a handful of countries.

Currently, there is no mention of countries, but the presentation notes seven markets within the Asia-Pacific region, that will gain access to the new streaming platform in mid-2024. While inked a deal with Amazon Prime Video in India.

The Discovery+ and HBO Max mega-merger will also expand further in autumn 2023 in four new unnamed markets. For now, there is no word on pricing or the subscription system, but the company is exploring multiple tiers within them. The product is being marketed as “efficient, scalable, and resilient,” bringing the “best of both” platforms to smart devices. Modular capabilities include both on-demand and live broadcasts, with multi-tier sports content. As for the basic plans, they will range between ad-free, ad-lite, and ad-only options, the latter of which would be the cheapest alternative.

Netflix's expenses.

As part of the merger, the studio also cancelled Wonder Twins, Batgirl, and Scoob! Holiday Haunt, as the films did not match their vision to maximise results. Reports suggest that Batgirl was in the final stages of post-production, during which it went through a private screen test to emerge as an “irredeemable” film.

The studio will also divert focus on theatrical releases instead of streaming, with a DC Comics films.

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