Welcome to Extreme Investor Network, where we provide you with exclusive insights and analysis on the latest business news. Today, we are diving into the recent price increases announced by Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, HBO Max.
HBO Max revealed that they will be increasing the prices of their ad-free options, just in time for the highly anticipated season two debut of “House of the Dragon,” a “Game of Thrones” prequel. The ad-free plan will now cost $16.99 per month, while the ultimate ad-free plan will be priced at $20.99 per month. Existing subscribers will see the price hike in effect starting from their next billing cycle on or after July 4.
This move by HBO Max comes as various streaming services are adjusting their prices. Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney recently announced a bundle offering that includes Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu, available in both ad-supported and ad-free tiers. This bundle is expected to be discounted to attract more subscribers.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, David Zaslav, emphasized the importance of this bundle offering in retaining and attracting customers. He stated that customer retention is crucial in the streaming business, and offering competitive pricing is key to achieving this goal.
This is only the second time HBO Max has increased prices for its ad-free service since its launch. The previous increase was in early 2023, when the company raised the price from $14.99 to $15.99 per month to invest in content and user experience.
It’s worth noting that other streaming platforms like Comcast’s Peacock and Netflix have also raised prices in recent months. Comcast’s NBCUniversal increased the prices of both ad-supported and ad-free options of Peacock, while Netflix eliminated its cheapest ad-free option in certain markets.
Stay tuned to Extreme Investor Network for more updates on the latest business news and insightful analysis to help you make informed investment decisions. Join our community of extreme investors and stay ahead of the curve.