This week there has been more clarity on what to expect from WarnerMedia’s upcoming streaming service. Yesterday, we learned that the company has ditched their plans for a three-tier service, and instead focus on a single $16-17 plan which bundles HBO, Cinemax, and Warner Bros. library of shows and movies.
According to a report in CNBC, the company could eventually merge their Live TV Streaming Service, DIRECTV NOW, under the same streaming umbrella. The service could first see live programming from Turner-owned channels like TNT, TBS, and CNN (similar to AT&T WatchTV), while the company “eventually plans to merge its DirecTV Now service with its WarnerMedia streaming service.”
While a bundle with live TV would be more expensive than the $15-18 entry level price, the WarnerMedia streaming service is already expected to be more expensive than Netflix ($12.99), Hulu with No Ads ($11.99), Prime Video ($8.99), and Disney+ ($6.99). The company will preview the service in September/October which AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson described last month as “a detailed look at the product, and that includes the breadth of new and existing content.”