Just on the heels of Netflix announcing record-breaking numbers for its launch of “Stranger Things 3,” WarnerMedia decided to knock down the streaming service a peg or two with a couple of huge announcements. First, WarnerMedia is capitalizing on the HBO brand-name with the title of its own upcoming streaming service, now dubbed HBO Max. And secondly, HBO Max will be the exclusive home to the streaming rights for the NBC legendary series “Friends,” which Netflix has been paying hundreds of millions of dollars to keep on its service. Ouch.
According to Variety, WarnerMedia is set to launch HBO Max in spring 2020, with over 10,000 hours worth of streaming content, competing directly with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple TV+, and of course, the upcoming Disney+. And to bolster the libraries, WarnerMedia will create a ton of original content for the service, as well as having the sole exclusive streaming rights to content like “Friends,” arguably the biggest series on Netflix.
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Bob Greenblatt, chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer, said, “HBO Max will bring together the diverse riches of WarnerMedia to create programming and user experiences not seen before in a streaming platform.”
As you might expect, this is a blow that Netflix would have to talk about, and the streaming service was quick to respond on Twitter, saying, “The One Where We Have To Say Goodbye. We’re sorry to see Friends go to Warner’s streaming service at the beginning of 2020 (in The US). Thanks for the memories, gang.”
In addition to the aforementioned shows, HBO Max will have the wealth of WB content in its library, as well as new films from exclusive partners like Greg Berlanti and Reese Witherspoon. Berlanti, who basically runs CW right now with all the shows he produces, will lend his talents to four films in the YA genre, while Witherspoon’s production company will be responsible for two original films.
All told, HBO Max will feature all the goodness of HBO, along with the libraries of Warner Bros., New Line, DC Entertainment, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, and Looney Tunes. And as a smaller punch in the gut for Netflix, HBO Max will be the exclusive streaming home of CW originals beginning this fall with “Batwoman” and “Riverdale” spin-off “Katy Keene.”
Pricing and exact launch date are unknown, but with content like this, HBO Max is sure to be a major player in the Streaming Wars in 2020.
The One Where We Have To Say Goodbye.
We’re sorry to see Friends go to Warner's streaming service at the beginning of 2020 (in The US). Thanks for the memories, gang ☕
— Netflix US (@netflix) July 9, 2019