While everyone seems to be focused on the impending merger between Fox and Disney, and the potential fallout from creating the world’s first mega-studio, people are overlooking the fact that 2018 saw one of the biggest studio sales ever, with AT&T purchasing Time Warner and all of its subsidiaries. And now, as AT&T begins reorganizing the leadership at the newly created WarnerMedia, the newly-appointed chairman is talking about the company’s streaming plans, while also taking a bit of a shot at the biggest streamer out there, Netflix.
Speaking to NBC News, Bob Greenblatt made no effort to hide the fact that WarnerMedia is clearly prepping the release of a massive new streaming venture. That being said, the executive wanted to make sure everyone knows one of the biggest aces up the studio’s sleeve, HBO, isn’t going anywhere.
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He said “the brands are going to stay the brands,” alluding to how HBO is known as the premier destination for quality, top-tier programming.
“We have the best television on earth, and that’s HBO,” said Greenblatt. “What we’re trying to do is preserve the quality and elegance of what HBO has been doing for 40 years and at the same time increase its output to a reasonable degree that doesn’t affect the quality and elegance and beauty.”
And while talking about HBO’s “brand,” he was quick to point out that the biggest dog in the streaming fight right now, Netflix, doesn’t have the same sort of brand. Or any brand for that matter.
“Netflix doesn’t have a brand,” said the executive. “It’s just a place you go to get anything — it’s like Encyclopedia Britannica. That’s a great business model when you’re trying to reach as many people on the planet as you can.”
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This isn’t the first time that an executive over at AT&T/WarnerMedia has taken a shot at Netflix, alluding to its “everything to everyone” programming strategy. Last year, an executive likened the streaming giant to a Walmart, while HBO is closer to Tiffany’s. It would appear that, at least as far as HBO is concerned, WarnerMedia wants to take on Netflix with quality and not quantity.
The full extent of WarnerMedia’s streaming plans hasn’t been made clear. But it’s nice to know that, as of now, HBO will remain HBO. You know, the place to go for dragons and stuff.
