Earlier this month, Warner Bros surprised consumers and outraged the movie industry when it announced that its feature films will hit HBO Max on the same day they premiere in theaters throughout 2021. The reason for this new strategy is clear -- the pandemic -- but it seems the company is looking to a future of traditional theatrical debuts.
Back in August, DC Comics' chief creative officer Jim Lee revealed that DC Universe, the company's subscription service, would be transformed into a comics-only platform. The DC Universe shows currently available to subscribers would be making their way to HBO Max as their new streaming home, something we finally have more details about.
Warner Bros will release all of its 2021 movies simultaneously on HBO Max, an industry-shaking decision that demonstrates just how much impact the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on entertainment. The 2021 film slate will still get theatrical releases worldwide, Warner Bros. Pictures Group said today, however it will also be releasing them for an exclusive - and time limited - HBO Max period in the US.
HBO Max will soon offer its subscribers access to TV shows and movies in 4K resolution, and it'll kick things off with the upcoming and frequently delayed movie Wonder Woman 1984. The movie was first set to premiere earlier this year but was bumped multiple times, ultimately earning itself a Christmas day theatrical release with an atypical streaming debut planned.
Amazon offers its subscribers access to 'Prime Video Channels,' which is a direct way for Amazon users to sign up for certain third-party video streaming services like HBO, Starz, and more. Though Prime Video Channels isn't going anywhere, a new report suggests that WarnerMedia may remove HBO from the roster in order to bolster its competing HBO Max streaming service.
Months after HBO first teased fans with a tweet, the company has officially ordered a series based on hit video game The Last of Us. Many of the details we heard back in March were confirmed by HBO on Friday, including that Naughty Dog and PlayStation Productions are among the producers behind the upcoming series.
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many businesses but some have been hit harder than others. Those that rely on mass gathering of people, like resorts, cruises, hotels, and theaters have seen business plummet or even disappear completely. For the theater industry, it's a double whammy with streaming services starting to eat up whatever little they have left. Warner Bros.'s decision to stream Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max on the same day it hits theaters will undoubtedly hit US theaters where it hurts the most.
WarnerMedia has announced a new deal with Conan O'Brien that it says will 'extend' the relationship between the two. The new deal revolves around streaming service HBO Max, the destination for a new weekly variety show starring the late-night television host. O'Brien has been on television for 28 years, including a decade-long run on TBS.
This week Warner Media announced they'd be bringing HBO Max to a whole bunch of Amazon devices. Included in the mix are not only Amazon Fire tablets, but Amazon Fire TV streaming devices and Fire TV Edition smart TVs, too. This expansion to Amazon devices should be a massive win for HBO and the HBO Max brand as the world launches into the holiday gift-giving season 2020.
Wonder Woman 1984, the movie that has experienced several theatrical premiere delays this year due to the pandemic, is currently scheduled to finally hit theaters on Christmas. That plan may fall through, though, according to reports from insiders who claim that a couple of other options are also being considered.
WarnerMedia, the company behind HBO Max, has announced a new deal with Comedy Central that will grant its streaming service non-exclusive streaming rights to five shows, including a couple of major titles like Chappelle's Show and Key and Peele. Under this deal, HBO Max users will be able to stream these shows directly on the service, though they'll also be available on select other services, too.
The Witches, the latest movie inspired by the classic Roald Dahl children's book (not to be mistaken with the 1990 movie), is the latest flick to skip theaters in favor of a home streaming release. The reason is exactly what you expect: the pandemic has tossed the movie industry into chaos, resulting in many delayed theatrical releases and, in some cases, the decision to skip theaters entirely in favor of a digital premiere.