Tomorrow could be the day that sparks intense internet reactions. According to a report by The New York Times (via The Verge), Max, the highly anticipated joint streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, may be unveiled. The company reportedly plans to merge HBO Max and Discovery Plus into a single streaming service called Max.
Pricing, branding, and the road ahead
A press event is expected tomorrow to announce the new service. In terms of availability and pricing, the combined service is likely to launch within the next few months. The ad-free plan is anticipated to cost around $15.99 per month, with an ad-supported tier for about $9.99 per month.
The pricing appears reasonable, as HBO Max’s ad-free plan currently costs $15.99 per month. With the merger, existing subscribers can access the entire Discovery Plus catalog. This added content comes at no extra cost. However, the decision to merge the iconic HBO brand into Max raises questions about brand recognition and potential waste.
It will also be interesting to see how the marketing team navigates promoting shows like The Last Of Us alongside 90 Day Fiancé. The journey to create Max has been a year-long process, and many internet users are skeptical about the combination of HBO and Discovery into a single app.
Successful mergers: The Disney Plus example
Despite the doubts, Disney has already demonstrated success in merging content with the Disney Plus app, which includes National Geographic. The seamless integration has resulted in increased viewership for Nat Geo content, with Disney Plus acting as the gateway streaming service.
It remains to be seen if Game of Thrones fans will find appeal in shows like Ready to Love. However, Max could potentially change our minds about this streaming service combination.
