HBO Max Subscriptions Could Pass Disney+ Because of WB Streaming Decision

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The decision by Warner Bros. to release its 2021 slate of movies on HBO Max could see the streaming service surpass Disney+ in subscriptions. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on the motion picture industry, leading Warner Bros. to enact a bold strategy in hopes of offsetting financial losses. The studio announced that 17 films would be made available to HBO Max subscribers on the same day as they release in theaters. Blockbusters and event films such as Dune, The Suicide Squad, and The Matrix 4 are among those that audiences will be able to stream from home.

WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced the plan last month along with the news that Wonder Woman 1984 would be the first film to arrive on HBO Max the same day as theaters. The move has been criticized by some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including directors Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve. It also comes with a financial risk as some industry executives worry that the plan could cost Warner up to $1.2 billion in lost box office revenue. But with the big risk also comes the possibility of a big reward.

According to THR, the combined number of HBO and HBO Max subscriptions could be between 75 and 90 million as a result of releasing new movies on the streaming service. This would not only get Warner closer to its target number of subscribers by 2025 but could potentially surpass rival service Disney+. It was recently announced that Disney+ had topped 86 million subscribers.

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Kilar believes that the potential growth in HBO Max subscriptions is worth upsetting film industry veterans in the short term. The Warner executive has a clear idea of what the future of movies and streaming services will be and is banking on his plan to pay dividends. It also helps that HBO Max will soon be available on Roku devices, meaning the streaming service can continue to expand its audience.

The success of Wonder Woman 1984 will be an early test for Warner Bros. and HBO Max. Strong reviews will encourage more people to sign up and avoid the potential health risks of going to the theaters. Anticipation for movies like Dune and The Suicide Squad is also sure to draw in audiences. From there, only time will tell on whether or not theaters are able to rebound from the pandemic or if movie-going habits have changed forever.

Regardless, overcoming Disney+ in terms of subscribers will be no easy task. Having access to properties like Star Wars and Marvel gives Disney+ a massive advantage. The recent announcement of series like Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi are indicative of how competitive the streaming wars will be in 2021 and beyond. If Warner Bros. shifts back to a traditional film release model, then HBO Max will need to develop more original content to keep pace with Disney+, Netflix, and other streaming services.