HBO Max Launch: Feat or Flop?

With virtually every network introducing their own streaming services, it’s no surprise that WarnerMedia has jumped on the streaming bandwagon as well. Boasting a library that includes the entire HBO services, films and TV from Warner Bros.’ 100-year content collection, top content from around the world, DC’s superhero films, classic films from Turner Classic Movies, a monthly offering of new Max Originals, the complete libraries of The Big Bang Theory, Rick and Morty, Gossip Girl, South Park, Friends, and more, including the highly anticipated Friends reunion special (which has been temporarily delayed due to he COVID-19 pandemic), HBO Max is a direct-to-consumer video service that guarantees to offer something for everyone—from Gen Z to Boomer! However, launched on May 27th at a subscription cost of $14.99 per month (or free to AT&T customers who were already subscribed to HBO) and poised to compete with Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, the debut of HBO Max left many confused. Whether it was how viewers could gain access to the platform or how it differed from other HBO subscriptions, mass misunderstandings about the launch resulted in Twitter providing a specific HBO Max “For You” section to better explain the platform. On this snippet of Business Casual Taylor Bagley breaks down what many may deem a breakdown in the much-awaited HBO Max launch, the distinctive HBO brand perplexities, the consumer’s much awaited expansion of premium content, and the various methods of streaming the service that are currently available. Bringing thought leadership to your day, MarketScale’s Business Casual keeps you current with the hottest topics and newest trends shaping business today. And for the latest thought leadership, news and event coverage across B2B, be sure to check out our industry pages.