HBO Max has been in the news a lot lately, for good and bad. The theater industry and filmmakers went into an uproar over the news of Warner Bros. entire 2021 slate is coming to the streaming service. The news doesn’t stop there, though, for the streaming service.
Roku News
The big news today is: the streaming service is finally coming to Roku. AT&T and Roku had been negotiating for months to strike a deal. Roku has 46 million subscribers, which HBO Max needed.
Finally, the media platform will let viewers download and stream HBO Max. “We believe that all entertainment will be streamed and we are thrilled to partner with HBO Max to bring their incredible library of iconic entertainment brands and blockbuster slate of direct to streaming theatrical releases to the Roku households with more than 100 million people that have made Roku the No. 1 TV streaming platform in America,” said Scott Rosenberg, who’s the Senior Vice President (Platform Business) of Roku. “Reaching mutually beneficial agreements where Roku grows together with our partners is how we deliver an exceptional user experience at an incredible value for consumers and we are excited by the opportunity to deepen our longstanding relationship with the team at WarnerMedia.”
Wonder Woman 1984
The Roku news is good for DC comics fans. After several delays, Wonder Woman 1984 is finally coming out on Christmas day. The sequel will play in theaters, but one third of theaters are still closed and a COVID-19 vaccine won’t be widely available until spring. Wonder Woman 1984, especially in light of the Roku news, will bring serious business to HBO Max.
The Weekly Conan Show
Another serious draw for HBO Max in the future is Conan O’Brien. The late night is winding down his time on TBS. He’s leaving behind late night for good. Next year, the loveable host will do a weekly show for HBO Max. It’s unfortunate O’Brien is leaving late night TV, but HBO Max will still provide plenty of Coco entertainment.
Upcoming Movies
All of Warner Bros. projects are coming to the streaming service next year. Representatives for the studio claim it’s only for 2021, but filmmakers and theater owners are suspicious. They’re also not happy over the news. It’s a major change in the industry, but as Warner Bros. executives have stated, a change in the tides is always greeted with resistance.
The studio didn’t consult actors, directors, or producers before making the major decision, which will takeaway business from already struggling theaters. Even the director of Dune wrote a public letter expressing disappointment in the decision. It was more salt in the wound or, as some are fearing, a potential death knell for the theater industry. Next year, HBO Max will stream Matrix 4, Dune, Mortal Kombat, and other major titles.
The Snyder Cut
HBO Max hasn’t unleashed a whole lot of original content yet. There are plenty of great movies to watch on the service, but nothing original yet. That’ll change when HBO Max releases the four-hour, long-awaited Snyder cut of Justice League. The streaming service will release an R-rated black and white cut, as well as divide the movie into chapters. Warner Bros. is spending well over $40 million on completing director Zack Snyder’s superhero film, which was plagued with issues, reshot by Joss Whedon, underperformed at the box-office, and worst of all, it was junk.
Price
HBO Max costs $14.99 a month. The streaming service is providing a deal offering 20% off for six months when you prepay. Right now, the streaming service isn’t worth the deal, but next year, it will be. Ideally, HBO Max will bring back Venture Bros., which was canceled by Adult Swim but may live on the streaming service. If team venture comes to HBO Max, then the streaming service will become a more exciting streaming option.
