jl_theprofessor t1_iwzzxco wrote on November 19, 2022 at 6:03 PM

Looks like they tried to replicate Netflix too fast. At least one unforced error was cutting of multiple lucrative licensing deals to shove everything onto HBO Max because they thought it would drive an almost unfathomable number of subscriptions. But that’s not how these new streaming services work in relation to audience and I think a lot of people were more frustrated by the loss of their favorite shows rather than compelled to follow them to HBO Max.

PigSlam t1_ix0aff3 wrote on November 19, 2022 at 7:18 PM

I paid for HBO Max (before that, HBO Go, and HBO Now) until the merger, then got it for free as a perk for being an AT&T customer, as I had been for a decade already. So all the move did in my case was remove a paying customer from HBO.

Bloq t1_ix0vysv wrote on November 19, 2022 at 9:52 PM

Isn't that how it worked with Disney+ though? They've done precisely the same thing as HBO Max

Dranj t1_ix14tup wrote on November 19, 2022 at 11:00 PM

Disney+ also recently posted a $1.5 billion loss. It's only because Disney is capable of counteracting that loss with their other business ventures that they're able to sustain it. Even so, Disney+ is increasing its subscription price and introducing an ad tier.

This article from a couple weeks ago goes into further detail.

kaenneth t1_ix2run8 wrote on November 20, 2022 at 8:17 AM

I bet they sold more than $1.5 billion in Baby Yoda merch alone.

jl_theprofessor t1_ix0wrk8 wrote on November 19, 2022 at 9:58 PM

Yes but in this case Disney had multiple other revenue channels to subsidize their undercutting of competing streaming apps. ATT was losing cable subscribers and simultaneously cut off revenue channels on streaming. And HBO as a brand never had the widespread appeal that Disney did.