Streaming service HBO Max to roll out an ad-subsidized plan starting June.
Get Ready for the Ad-Supported HBO Max This Summer!
Get set for the long-awaited ad-infused HBO Max experience, coming your way this summer!
WarnerMedia execs spilled the beans on the launch date and exclusive features of their new, budget-friendly plan, leaving us all wondering what it's got in store for us. The key differences from their existing subscription setup are the streaming rights to their 2021 releases, which will be exclusive to the pricier subscription once the ad-supported tier kicks off.
Don't fret about ads interrupting your binge-watching sessions, though! According to the company, ads will be off-limits to originals.
WarnerMedia's CEO, proud capitalist Jason Kilar, hinted at ambitious subscriber targets for the next four years. Expect a whopping 120-150 million subscriptions by 2025, a major leap from the 17.17 million "activated" users they reported back in January. Mind you, these numbers aren't far from Disney+'s 100+ subscribers, just 16 months after its splash, or Netflix's 200+ subscriber milestone in January. But these two streaming titans dominate the market with no ads on their content.
So, how does AT&T plan to rack in the cash with the ad-supported service being so cheap? The pricing details are yet to come, with Kilar promising a reveal soon. But don't fret, he assures they've got it all figured out, promising to cover the cost and even earn a buck or two!
Luring subscribers with an affordable ad-supported tier could help them scale fast, but what's their long-term plan for differentiating value on the premium tier? As theatre doors start to open again, how will WarnerMedia handle its film releases? Will they continue the hybrid model, offering same-day releases on both premium and ad-supported tiers?
With originals remaining ad-free on the cheaper plan, it's unclear how they'll keep users shelling out the big bucks when the 2021 movie pipeline dries up. Either way, it looks like AT&T executives are about to find out real soon!
Clarification: Ads will not appear on originals on the cheaper plan.
Update on Pricing: The price for the ad-supported tier is set at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, supporting two concurrent streams but not offline downloads.
Interested in the Premium Tier's Features? The premium tier, priced at $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year, offers an ad-free experience with two concurrent streams and the ability to download up to 30 titles for offline viewing. For those who demand even more, the Ultimate Ad-Free tier at $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year gives you four concurrent streams and 100 titles available for offline viewing.
- The ad-supported HBO Max, launching this summer, is set to revolutionize the future of tech-driven entertainment.
- Although the cost for the ad-supported tier is budget-friendly, the premium tier prices remain competitive, offering an ad-free experience.
- With WarnerMedia's ambitious plan to capture 120-150 million subscribers by 2025, questions arise about their long-term strategy for differentiating value on the premium tier.
- As the hybrid model continues, it remains uncertain whether WarnerMedia will maintain the same-day releases on both the ad-supported and premium tiers in the tech landscape of perpetuity.
