AT&T rolls out a new, super-charged streaming service with HBO shows, ‘Friends’ and more

guest · Jun 12, 2020

HBO 'Go' and 'Now' names are going away, leaving just HBO and HBO Max
The move clears up confusion and promotes HBO Max
June 12, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/hbo-go-now-going-away-leaving-hbo-max-201659635.html

HBO is retiring HBO Go and rebranding HBO Now in order to clear up confusion surrounding its newest app, HBO Max, the company has confirmed to Engadget. HBO Go, an on-demand streaming service for cable subscribers, will be “sunsetted” and then discontinued July 31st. HBO Now, which serves the same purpose for those without cable, will be rebranded as simply HBO.

The TV network is clearing the way for HBO Max, which offers usual HBO programming plus original and exclusive content.

“Implementing these changes allows us to further strengthen HBO Max as the primary platform for accessing not only the robust offering of HBO but also a vast WarnerMedia library of acquired content and originals, while also simplifying our consumer offering in the market,” HBO said in an email.
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guest · Jul 30, 2020

HBO Go Will Be Killed for Real This Week
July 29, 2020
https://gizmodo.com/hbo-go-will-be-killed-for-real-this-week-1844547321

Following the launch of its HBO Max app in May, HBO announced soon after that it would be sunsetting its Go service—the streaming app for users who subscribe to HBO through their TV or cable provider. That is happening this week, and Go users will no longer be able to use the app on their devices as of Friday.
HBO Max’s launch made HBO’s ecosystem of services incredibly confusing, but here’s a quick rundown of how they worked: [...]

The decision to kill Go on July 31 is meant to “simplify customers’ choices in app stores and on platforms,” a spokesperson told Gizmodo. HBO Now, meanwhile, will be rebranded as simply HBO.
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Additionally, Variety, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported earlier this month that WarnerMedia’s deal with Fire TV for the HBO Now app—which, again, is going to be branded as just HBO after this week—expires July 31. That would seem to mean that Fire TV users won’t have access to any HBO app if an agreement is not reached by Friday. Fire TV declined to comment.

The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about support, but we’ll update when we hear back. The good news, though, is that HBO’s many services problem is less confusing now—mostly, kind of.
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Engadget: HBO app replaces HBO Now on Fire TV devices August 1st

The HBO Now app will become simply HBO on Amazon Fire TVs as of August 1st, Variety reports. Existing HBO Now subscribers will have access to the rebranded app. HBO Max is still not available on Fire TVs, and HBO Go will be discontinued across all platforms on July 31st.
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ronjor · Aug 1, 2020

HBO Max: Everything to know about HBO's newer, bigger streaming app

Joan E. Solsman Aug. 1, 2020
HBO Max has a $15 price tag, and it's effectively replacing HBO Go and HBO Now, which disappeared Saturday -- but Max still isn't on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.
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guest · Aug 10, 2020

WarnerMedia shakes itself up to focus on HBO Max
August 8, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/warnermedia-restructure-hbo-max-174426115.html

WarnerMedia has gone through a management shakeup under new CEO Jason Kilar, and it’s part of his efforts to make HBO Max the company’s main priority.

Kilar has announced the restructuring in an email to employees, telling them that it’s vital for WarnerMedia to change and simplify how it’s organized to “[elevate] HBO Max in the organization and [expand] its scope globally.”
Kilar has also established an HBO Max operating business unit and put Andy Forssell, the service’s general manager, in charge.
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As a result of the restructuring, WarnerMedia Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt, HBO Max chief content officer Kevin Reilly, and marketing and communications EVP Keith Cocozza are leaving the company. Unfortunately, Kilar also revealed in his letter that the company is reducing the size of its overall workforce.
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guest · Aug 26, 2020

HBO Max cranks up the Widevine DRM, leaves Linux users in the cold
It seems likely the service enabled Verified Media Path, which shut Linux out
August 26, 2020
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...-widevine-drm-leaves-linux-users-in-the-cold/

A reader tipped us off today that HBO Max stopped working a couple of weeks ago for Linux users, under any Web browser. Any attempt to play back a video on the streaming service on a Linux system—regardless of distribution or browser—returns an error saying, "We're having trouble playing this video. Please try again later."
(To be clear, this is a problem for generic Linux PCs, not dedicated Linux-based streaming hardware—the HBO app still works just fine on a Roku we also tested today.)

Unfortunately, trying again later won't help—the root cause of the problem is that the Widevine DRM attempting to protect HBO Max's content from pirates is refusing to recognize any Linux system as a known platform. We saw the same thing happen in January, when CBS All Access suddenly stopped working on Linux in the same way
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guest · Sep 5, 2020

HBO Max, Eager to Lure Subscribers, Launches Limited-Time 20% Price Discount
September 3, 2020
https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-price-limited-time-discount-1234758872/

WarnerMedia is looking to drive up HBO Max subscribers as the third quarter of 2020 winds down.

Starting Friday, Sept. 4, new and returning customers who sign up for HBO Max are eligible to get the service for $11.99 per month for the next 12 months. That’s a 20% discount off the regular $14.99 price, and an annual savings of $36.
The promo is available to “any new customers and returning subscribers whose accounts have lapsed” through Sept. 25, 2020, WarnerMedia said.
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guest · Oct 8, 2020

WarnerMedia has gone through a management shakeup under new CEO Jason Kilar [...] Unfortunately, Kilar also revealed in his letter that the company is reducing the size of its overall workforce.
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WarnerMedia to Cut More Jobs as Part of Restructuring
October 8, 2020
https://www.thestreet.com/investing/att-warnermedia-plans-restructuring-including-layoffs

WarnerMedia is aiming to cut costs by 20%, which could result in thousands of employees losing their jobs, a media report says.

"Like the rest of the entertainment industry, we have not been immune to the significant impact of the pandemic," the company said in a statement to TheStreet.
A restructuring is expected to begin in the coming weeks, sources told The Wall Street Journal. It will affect the company's movie arm, Warner Bros studios, as well as television channels like HBO, TBS and TNT.
The statement went on to say that Warner will increase "investments in priority areas and, unfortunately, reduction in others."
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Earlier this year, WarnerMedia began a round of layoffs that affected hundreds of staffers. Media reports said the first wave of layoffs was expected to total about 600 people.
WarnerMedia's chief communications officer, Kevin Brockman, departed earlier this year after joining the company in 2019. He earlier had spent 22 years at Disney.
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ronjor · Oct 22, 2020

HBO Max has 28.7 million subscribers, but not all of them are actually watching yet

By Kim Lyons Oct 22, 2020
AT&T counts ‘activations’ of the premium channel in its third quarter earnings
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guest · Nov 3, 2020

mood said: ↑

HBO Max cranks up the Widevine DRM, leaves Linux users in the cold
It seems likely the service enabled Verified Media Path, which shut Linux out
August 26, 2020
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...-widevine-drm-leaves-linux-users-in-the-cold/
Click to expand...

HBO Max quietly restored service to Linux users
November 3, 2020
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/11/hbo-max-quietly-restored-service-to-linux-users/

In August, HBO broke its customers' access to the HBO Max streaming service by cranking up the settings on its Widevine DRM service—most likely by enabling a Verified Media Path requirement. When Ars reached out to HBO Max at the time, service representatives brushed us off with a boilerplate response:

You may be able to stream HBO Max on Linux platforms, though it is not officially supported for HBO Max at this time. For supported browsers and devices, see HBO Max supported devices or visit the HBO Max Help Center for additional support.
We never did hear anything more from HBO Max, but as reader etarts pointed out to us this week, someone eventually fixed the issue with Widevine. The service is once again handing out licenses to Linux subscribers whose browsers support Widevine encryption.
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guest · Nov 10, 2020

mood said: ↑

WarnerMedia to Cut More Jobs as Part of Restructuring
October 8, 2020
https://www.thestreet.com/investing/att-warnermedia-plans-restructuring-including-layoffs
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Here’s the internal memo sent to employees as AT&T’s WarnerMedia begins layoffs
November 10, 2020
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/10/see-warnermedia-ceo-jason-kilars-memo-on-impending-layoffs.html

AT&T’s WarnerMedia began layoffs Tuesday as the company formerly known as Time Warner restructures around streaming video.

The job cuts are part of AT&T’s plan to eliminate redundant positions within WarnerMedia and refocus the company around growing HBO Max, the company’s flagship streaming video service. Many of the top executives at Time Warner’s HBO, Turner and Warner Bros. production studio have already departed before Tuesday’s announcement, including ex-HBO chief Richard Plepler, ex-Turner President David Levy and ex-Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO and Chairman Kevin Tsujihara.
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A WarnerMedia spokesman declined to comment on the exact number of layoffs, though a person familiar with the matter said it was more than 1,000 and possibly in the thousands.
Here’s Kilar’s full memo, obtained by CNBC: [...]
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xxJackxx · Nov 10, 2020

AT&T... If they handle this like they did DirecTV then after they suck enough people in it will cost $100 per month. All while putting people out of work. Too many people think layoffs are a temporary thing. Yet the CEO gets 8 digits annually in compensation. Who do they think their customers will be when nobody has a job? Take the money you would have spent on this and buy DVDs, while you can still get them.

guest · Dec 4, 2020

HBO Max Ending 7-Day Free Trial Option
December 4, 2020
https://popculture.com/streaming/news/hbo-max-ending-7-day-free-trial-option/

WarnerMedia ended the seven-day free trial offer for HBO Max, just ahead of the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on the streaming service. The blockbuster will be available on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, the same day it hits theaters. WarnerMedia also announced plans to release all 2021 Warner Bros. movies on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters.

The free trial period had been offered since HBO Max launched in May 2020, notes Variety. However, killing the deal will ensure more paid subscribers when the Wonder Woman sequel launches. The company likely does not want people to sign up for the trial, see the movie, and then cancel their subscription without ever paying a cent.
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WarnerMedia is offering a new deal though. There is a 22% discount for new subscribers who agree to pay $69.99 for six months instead of the $14.99 monthly cost. The offer started Thursday and ends on Jan. 15, 2021.

"We frequently update and iterate our offers to provide flexible ways for potential subscribers to access all that HBO Max has to offer," a WarnerMedia spokesperson said.
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HBO Max free trial Q&A

guest · Dec 4, 2020

↑ WarnerMedia also announced plans to release all 2021 Warner Bros. movies on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters.
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AMC Theatres boss criticizes Warner Bros. for HBO Max 2021 release plans
December 4, 2020
https://www.cnet.com/news/amc-theatres-boss-criticizes-warner-bros-for-hbo-max-2021-release-plans/

AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron spoke up Thursday, slamming Warner Bros.' plan to release its 2021 movies [...] on streaming service HBO Max the same day they'll hit cinemas.

"Clearly, Warner Media intends to sacrifice a considerable portion of the profitability of its movie studio division, and that of its production partners and filmmakers, to subsidize its HBO Max startup," Aron said in a statement previously published by The Hollywood Reporter.
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guest · Dec 9, 2020

HBO Max hits 12.6 million activations ahead of ‘Wonder Woman’ release
December 9, 2020
https://www.reportdoor.com/hbo-max-hits-12-6-million-activations-ahead-of-wonder-woman-release/

As HBO Max prepares for the Christmas debut of Wonder Woman 1984 and its controversial plans for 2021, AT&T CEO John Stankey revealed that the service is seeing “improved traction,” going from 8.6 million activations at the end of September to 12.6 million.

The exec told investors during a conference on Tuesday that using its service to stream, Warner Bros. movies at the same time they premiere in theaters is a “win-win,” which is not at all how director Christopher Nolan would describe it.
After referring to HBO Max as “the worst streaming service,” Nolan told the Associated Press that “it’s not a good business decision…It’s all a bit of a mess.”
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guest · Jan 16, 2021

WarnerMedia extends its 20 percent discount on HBO Max subscriptions
Saving you just over $3 per month, but you have to prepay for six months of service
January 15, 2021
https://www.theverge.com/good-deals...bo-max-subscription-six-month-offer-sale-deal

A discount on HBO Max that was supposed to end today, January 15th, has been extended until March 1st, 2021.

The fine print of the offer hasn’t changed: you can get six months of HBO Max for 20 percent off the normal total cost, which is usually $90 before tax. You’ll pay $70 with this deal (it’s like paying just under $12 per month instead of $15), but the catch is that you have to prepay in full and it’s nonrefundable.
This discount is open to both new and returning HBO Max subscribers, but it can’t be stacked with a free trial or any other promotion.
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guest · Jun 18, 2021

HBO Max blames mistaken "Integration Test" email on an intern
June 18, 2021
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...mistaken-integration-test-email-on-an-intern/

Social media was abuzz tonight after thousands of HBO Max subscribers received strange emails titled "Integration Test Email #1," which was ultimately blamed on a HBO Max intern.

The email was likely a mistake by an HBO Max developer or marketing person performing some tests on their platform and mistakenly sent out an email to all of the streaming network's subscribers.
There is not much to the email, with it simply having a subject of "Integration Test Email #1" and a message stating, "This template is used by integration tests only," as shown below.
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As HBO Max sent the email via Sendgrid, a popular email marketing platform, it was likely a marketing test that was blasted out to all registered HBO Max accounts by mistake.
Even though the email was harmless, recipients on Twitter had a fun time making lighthearted jests about the HBO Max email.
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guest · Jul 20, 2021

HBO Max starts streaming full episode pilots in Snapchat
You can watch the pilots with up to 63 other Snapchat users.
July 20, 2021
https://www.engadget.com/snapchat-hbo-max-mini-223803217.html

HBO Max has a new way for people to check out its library of content. Starting today, you can watch the pilot episodes of select series, including Game of Thrones, Lovecraft Country and Gossip Girl, on Snapchat and do so while chatting with up to 63 other people.

The ability to watch HBO Max content through Snapchat comes courtesy of the Minis functionality Snap introduced last June.
You don't need an HBO Max subscription to watch any of the pilots, but the Mini will prompt users over the age of 18 to sign up for the service.
Click to expand...

guest · Jul 22, 2021

HBO officially shuts down its Apple TV Channel, cutting off HBO Max access for some users
July 22, 2021
https://9to5mac.com/2021/07/22/hob-apple-tv-channel-shut-down/

When WarnerMedia launched its new expanded streaming service, HBO Max, earlier this year, HBO simultaneously stopped participating in Apple TV Channels. This meant that new subscribers could not sign up for HBO through Apple TV Channels, but existing subscribers could continue to access their subscriptions.

HBO appears to have flipped a switch today, however, that completely shuts off access to HBO via Apple TV Channels, including the ability to sign in using your Apple TV Channels subscription information.
In the case of HBO, the streaming service supported full Apple TV Channels integration until the launch of HBO Max.
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So those who subscribed to HBO through Apple TV Channels could access some HBO content through the TV app, but they could also sign in to the HBO Max app to access all the content at no additional charge via your Apple ID account.
As noted by users on Reddit, HBO in the Apple TV app had pre-announced its plans to shut down its Apple TV Channel with a message reading: “HBO is ending its channel service on July 22. After that, get HBO Max to continue watching.”

One solution appears to be: Sign up for a new HBO Max account using the email associated with your Apple ID, then reset your password, and log in to your new account to access things like your watch list and account settings.
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guest · Oct 22, 2021

HBO Max and HBO’s US subscriptions dip following Amazon exit
But the service is still technically growing
October 21, 2021
https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/21/22738967/hbo-max-subscriptions-q3-2021-amazon-exit

HBO Max is still growing — but the service appears to have felt the impact of its exit from Amazon Prime Channels earlier this quarter.

HBO Max and HBO subscriptions collectively grew to 69.4 million internationally from 67.5 million the previous quarter, the company reported during its second-quarter earnings presentation. But its combined subscriptions to both services dropped in the US from 47 million last quarter to 45.2 million this quarter — a difference of 1.8 million subscribers.
AT&T said in its earnings report that “international and ad-supported subscriber gains were partially offset by HBO Max being discontinued on the Amazon wholesale platform.”
Click to expand...

A spokesperson for AT&T confirmed to The Verge that the decision to remove HBO from Amazon Prime Channels did, in fact, hurt its domestic subscriber numbers. But the spokesperson added that the company also expects “to get some of these subscribers back into the retail base in the later part of the year.”
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Rasheed187 · Oct 23, 2021

BTW, there was some unclarity, but it has now been confirmed that HBO Max is coming to The Netherlands in 2022, I really hope they will offer stuff that you can't find on Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+. I have made a list of my favorite movies and series, see links. Sadly enough, probably 90% of the series and 60% of the movies, you can't find on streaming services in Holland.

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls046424878/?st_dt=&mode=grid&page=1&ref_=ttls_vw_grd&sort=list_order,asc
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls042264457/?ref_=ttls_vw_grd&sort=list_order,asc&st_dt=&mode=grid&page=1

mood said: ↑

HBO Max and HBO’s US subscriptions dip following Amazon exit
But the service is still technically growing
October 21, 2021
https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/21/22738967/hbo-max-subscriptions-q3-2021-amazon-exit
Click to expand...

Seriously, I think Prime Video is cool for offering third party channels, but they really should improve their app, it kinda sucks. Now that I think of it, I wish there would be a platform where you didn't need to switch between apps from the various streaming services, a bit similar to JustWatch for example.

https://www.justwatch.com/us

ronjor · Aug 5, 2022

HBO Max will be replaced next year by a new service combined with Discovery Plus

By Alex Cranz Aug 4, 2022
HBO Max isn’t dead...yet. But come the summer of 2023 it will be, and there will be a new service replacing both HBO Max and Discovery Plus, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav said on an earnings call today.
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Rasheed187 · Aug 15, 2022

ronjor said: ↑

HBO Max will be replaced next year by a new service combined with Discovery Plus
Click to expand...

Well, I recently got an offer from HBO Max for a 1 year subscription for half the price, that's how desparate these guys are. Problem is that their content in Holland is horrible! I would become a customer if I had access to the US content, but these morons are blocking VPN's. Well, it's their loss, they won't be seeing me back.

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