Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery Join Forces to Create a New Streaming Bundle
In a move reminiscent of the cable TV packages of yesteryear, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a partnership on Wednesday that will combine their streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and HBO Max, along with the DC Extended Universe, into a single bundle. The new service, set to launch in the summer, aims to provide cord-cutters with a comprehensive content offering that rivals Netflix’s catalog.
Details of the New Streaming Bundle
While specifics such as pricing and the service’s official name (perhaps DisneyMax±?) have yet to be revealed, the companies have confirmed that the bundle will offer both ad-free and ad-supported tiers. The combined offerings of Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery could prove to be a formidable competitor in the streaming market, potentially causing concern for Netflix.
Competitive Pricing and Content Offerings
A recent Parrot Analytics report found that when considering the monthly cost of each streaming service against the demand for its original content, the Disney+/Hulu bundle and HBO Max rank among the top three in terms of value for money. Although Disney’s bundle is more expensive, it boasts a vast content library, while HBO Max is slightly cheaper but offers less content. If the new DisneyMax± bundle (yes, that’s its name now) is competitively priced, it could pose a significant challenge to Netflix, especially with the upcoming release of highly anticipated series such as The Acolyte, House of the Dragon, and The Bear.
The Mystery of Live Sports
Interestingly, the Disney-WBD announcement did not mention whether the new streaming bundle will include live sports. Given that the companies are collaborating with Fox Corp. to offer a separate streaming sports bundle, it seems unlikely that sports will be included in the DisneyMax± bundle. However, as the consolidation of streaming services continues, the possibility of a similar service that incorporates sports cannot be ruled out.
Fans Protest Cancellations with #DontStreamOnMax Campaign
Amidst the excitement surrounding the new streaming bundle, a group of fans launched a #DontStreamOnMax campaign on X (formerly Twitter) to protest the cancellation of popular shows and movies, particularly Our Flag Means Death. Many supporters of the campaign cited a recent report from GLAAD, which revealed that 36 percent of TV’s queer characters will not be returning next year due to show cancellations or endings. On streaming services, this accounted for 80 characters across 23 shows, with HBO Max and Disney+ contributing significantly to these numbers.
The Changing Landscape of the Streaming Wars
As traditional media companies strive to adapt to the disruption caused by streaming, the partnership between Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery represents a realignment of the streaming wars battlefield. With the upcoming upfronts in New York, where networks showcase their offerings to potential advertisers, streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube plan to make their presence felt. As legacy media focuses on bundling, these streaming platforms may seize the opportunity to capture ad dollars, further intensifying the competition in the ever-evolving streaming landscape.
The Monitor is a WIRED column dedicated to everything happening in the world of culture, from movies to memes, TV to Twitter.
3 Comments
Old school meets new tech, and they think we’re here for it? Bold move!
Giants of entertainment doing a remix on the classic hit – cable with a side of streaming, didn’t see that coming!
So, the old giants decided to dust off the cable box but added WiFi, huh?