The Streaming Insider (7/20/20): Where is Harry Potter Going After It Leaves HBO Max?
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Harry Potter Franchise Leaving HBO Max in August – Could It Land on Peacock?
Harry Potter fans got a sweet surprise the first time they opened HBO Max after its May 27 launch: all eight of the franchise’s films were available on the platform.
The TL;DR
- All eight Harry Potter films were available on HBO Max at its launch but will be leaving Aug. 25.
- NBCUniversal owns the rights in a deal that spans 2016-2025.
- Could Peacock, which also announced it would be losing some big-name films in July, be Harry Potter’s next home?
Ahead of its launch, the movies weren’t expected to be available as part of HBO Max, as the digital rights were sold to NBCUniversal in 2016, with the deal running through 2025.
As it turns out, fans have a limited time to get through the eight classics – Harry Potter will be leaving the service on Aug. 25. The franchise’s next streaming destination is unknown at this time, but it’s possible it could be heading to Peacock, NBCU’s new streaming service.
- Peacock says it will be cycling in new content on a constant basis.
- Peacock will also be losing many big titles in August
Ten days after HBO Max launched with 31 DC movies, word got out that 15 – including “Batman” and “Justice League” – would be gone on July 31. In late June, however, the company announced that 10 DC were extended through December.
Which do you prefer: consistent access to the same movies like Disney+, or a rotating set of content like Peacock or HBO Max? Reply and let us know what you think.
What’s Coming to HBO Max in August 2020, Including Seth Rogen’s ‘An American Pickle’ and ‘Birds of Prey’
HBO Max’s August content includes “An American Pickle,” a comedy starring Seth Rogen, a 10-episode cooking series starring Selena Gomez, “Selena + Chef,” and two DC Universe shows: the movie “Birds of Prey” and the season two finale of the series “Doom Patrol.”
fuboTV’s To Add ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel on Aug. 1
fuboTV CEO David Gandler announcing a multi-year deal between the parties in June.
Those networks include ABC, Disney Channel, FX, Nat Geo and ESPN, meaning the additional content has big implications for sports fans.
- It lost Turner Channels (TNT, TBS, CNN) on July 1st
- fuboTV will raise its price by $5, starting at $59.99, on Aug. 1
Prior to the Disney deal, fuboTV had been quietly enhancing its Sports Plus and Extra plans.
In February, it moved NBA TV from the standard plan to the enhanced tiers, then in March, announced NHL Network and MLB Network (which hasn’t yet launched) as part of Sports Plus and Extra. It also added MLB Network Strike Zone as part of the Sports Plus add-on.
fuboTV is also the only streaming service that carries NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NHL Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV.
With 287,000 subscribers, fuboTV still has a fraction of those of other live TV streaming services; the major push into the sports streaming landscape, however, might put that on track to change.
More Streaming News to Binge
Hulu Releases Wide-Ranging Study on American Streaming Habits
A new study backed by Hulu found that 91 percent of “Generation Stream” – what it calls the 90 percent of 13-54-year olds in the U.S. who stream from at least one service – would give up their music streaming service, social media, favorite food, favorite fashion item or favorite brand before giving up their video streaming service.
Analyst Predicts Return of Live Sports Will Attract Record TV Viewers, Including Cord-Nevers
According to The Hollywood Reporter, industry analyst Lisa Martin predicts that not only are sports coming back full throttle amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re also returning with new fans. Cord-nevers — the demographic of young viewers who have never before subscribed to pay-TV services — are expected to finally turn to cable for their live sports fix.
Netflix Drops Trailer for New Jake Johnson Animated Series ‘Hoops’
Netflix today released the first-look trailer for their late-summer animated series “Hoops.” The show, which stars Jake Johnson (“New Girl”) will be coming to the streamer on Aug. 21.