Originally Posted by vailpass:
Hmmm...interesting marketing concept. It has me less likely to cancel MAX than I was before I saw this so in that sense it works. The Sopranos prequel is intriguing, at least. Thanks for the run-down.
Yeah, HBO Max is just so far behind, even to networks like Showtime, that if they want to complete globally with all of the other major streamers, they needed to up their game.
That said, it won't mean shit until they come to an agreement with Roku, which represents more than 50% of their market, which is why they've only seen 8 million activations since launching.
The good thing is that they're finally beginning to render their offerings in 4K UHD HDR, with WW 1984 being the first of the batch but they have a long, long way to go and it will definitely take a while before their subscriber base grows much. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Disney? No, not at this time, although they did release Pixar's Onward about 3 weeks after release and have added their next, Soul, to Disney+ beginning on December 25th. But they have plenty of cash to stay afloat and their subscriber base is rapidly expanding.
Paramount has been historically stingy with their releases although that might change in the coming years after Paramount Plus is launched in 1Q2021, which will combine CBS All Access with all of Viacom's and Paramount's IP.
Universal's streaming is lagging way behind Disney+ but they're fairly stubborn as well so it might take a while, although again, they did release the Trolls movie on PVOD earlier this year. But I doubt they release a Fast & Furious movie, which is on its last legs as a franchise and essentially (Uni's only franchise), on the Peacock for free.
I know nothing about the biz and could be talking out of my ass, but, on the surface level at least, it seems like the new HBO CEO is not nearly as competent as the old one who really made HBO the pillar that it is now. Is that the general consensus in your circles too? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Pants:
I know nothing about the biz and could be talking out of my ass, but, on the surface level at least, it seems like the new HBO CEO is not nearly as competent as the old one who really made HBO the pillar that it is now. Is that the general consensus in your circles too?
They've reorganized so many times since the AT&T purchase that it's difficult to ascertain who is calling the shots, because they continue to consolidate and fire so many of the former executives who were previously in charge.
But as I mentioned the day HBO Max launched, it's been nothing short of an epic disaster because for most of 2020 because Fire users couldn't access the app until very recently and Roku users still can't access the app.
It was a really poor launch, especially given that unlike Disney+, Amazon and Netflix, they failed to re-render all of their properties in UHD HDR while the navigation menu hasn't been exactly stellar, either. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
They've reorganized so many times since the AT&T purchase that it's difficult to ascertain who is calling the shots, because they continue to consolidate and fire so many of the former executives who were previously in charge.
But as I mentioned the day HBO Max launched, it's been nothing short of an epic disaster because for most of 2020 because Fire users couldn't access the app until very recently and Roku users still can't access the app.
It was a really poor launch, especially given that unlike Disney+, Amazon and Netflix, they failed to re-render all of their properties in UHD HDR while the navigation menu hasn't been exactly stellar, either.
Originally Posted by unlurking:
Anybody that does have HBO Max, check out Doom Patrol. Great cast and hilarious show. DCU. I feel like the only person whose watched it. lol
One of these days, I'm going to get around to it. I know the showrunner, Jeremy Carver, because he has children the same age as mine and they've gone to school together since kinder.
His wife, Anna Fricke, is rebooting Walker, Texas Ranger, with Jared Padalecki in the lead role. [Reply]
Originally Posted by unlurking:
Anybody that does have HBO Max, check out Doom Patrol. Great cast and hilarious show. DCU. I feel like the only person whose watched it. lol
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
One of these days, I'm going to get around to it. I know the showrunner, Jeremy Carver, because he has children the same age as mine and they've gone to school together since kinder.
His wife, Anna Fricke, is rebooting Walker, Texas Ranger, with Jared Padalecki in the lead role.
Sam Winchester is Walker, T.R.? It’s going to be hard not to see him as Sam. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Deberg_1990:
Dane, do you think WB will try to shove the genie back in the bottle after 2021 and when the pandemic ends?
Well, it's WB/AT&T so anything is possible for sure.
But as we've seen with the other multimedia giants, streaming is the future. Disney's complete focus is on Disney+ while Universal has already released an expected "Tentpole" film simultaneously to theaters and PVOD, while also signing those recent 17 Day/30 Day agreements with AMC.
I've mentioned this before but since WB's is focusing on original content for HBO Max, they've re-positioned TBS and TNT towards Unscripted TV, some of which will begin airing in 2021.
As of today, it "appears" as if they're taking streaming very seriously but again, they keep reorganizing and hiring and firing, so I can't give you a solid answer. If they're smart (something AT&T has yet to figure out), they will continue to ramp up their original content for HBO Max because there's absolutely no doubt that content for streaming is the future. [Reply]
I've been highly disappointed with the quality of streaming on the HBO Max app on my playstation. I'm not sure if it is just the playstation app, but I know it isn't my internet service bc I'll watch the same show/movie on Hulu and I don't have issues.
I feel like its quality is in line with ESPN's app [Reply]
Originally Posted by ChiefBlueCFC:
I've been highly disappointed with the quality of streaming on the HBO Max app on my playstation. I'm not sure if it is just the playstation app, but I know it isn't my internet service bc I'll watch the same show/movie on Hulu and I don't have issues.
I feel like its quality is in line with ESPN's app
Legendary not too happy about putting Dune and kong vs Godzilla on there. Might threaten legal action.
I’m hearing that Legendary Entertainment either has or will send legal letters to Warner Bros as soon as today, challenging the decision to put the Denis Villenueve-directed Dune into the HBO Max deal, and maybe Godzilla vs Kong as well. On the latter, Legendary reportedly had Netflix ready to pull the film from Warner Bros for around $250 million, before WarnerMedia blocked it. Sources said Legendary had no advance notice before last week’s announcement that both Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong were part of the HBO Max plan.
Legendary certainly seems to have the right to challenge WarnerMedia on its decision: Legendary and its partners provided 75% of the $165 million or so net budget of Dune, the adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel that was envisioned to be the first of multiple films exploiting the six-novel series. It put up a similar amount of the funding on the Godzilla vs. King film. Will the long-term viability of the franchises be tarnished by starting out as an HBO Max offering? It’s the same question the industry is asking about Wonder Woman. Legendary wouldn’t comment. I’m told there are three other films that have a right to believe movies they majority financed are being served up to provide a steroid shot to HBO Max’s paid subscriber base by undoing deals that were made for theatrical release and the traditional revenue waterfall.
