We didn’t buy DirecTV because we love
”Their performance will help determine AT&T’s future. Activist investor Elliott Management has expressed skepticism about Stankey, considered the heir apparent to CEO Randall Stephenson.“We know there’s 75 million people in the range from two to young adults that are available to us as potential new subscribers that aren’t part of the HBO universe already,” said Greenblatt.“AT&T hasn’t seen any more improvement (in churn) with wireless/video bundling than Verizon has seen without it,” said MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett.A long-term goal for HBO nylon rollers Max is to help AT&T retain wireless subscribers, according to executives, and also allow the company to pair wireless and DirecTV satellite data to learn more about consumers — and in turn, charge higher rates to advertisers.
On Tuesday Stankey, Greenblatt and others will reveal their plans to investors, on the same stage where Warner Brothers shot actress Judy Garland’s comeback film “A Star is Born..” They bristle at “general interest.”Stankey also hinted at the possibility of bundling HBO Max with AT&T wireless subscriptions. They are ambitious targets that would be consistent with Netflix Inc’s (NFLX.99), and slightly higher than the standard USD 12. Doing so involves renegotiating deals with current pay TV providers, who may be wary of helping AT&T snatch their video customers.HBO Max, which will be HBO plus movies, original shows, and TV classics such “Friends,” will be available starting this spring to 10 million AT&T customers who are also HBO subscribers in the United States at no extra charge, according to AT&T Chief Operating Officer John Stankey, who disclosed the figures for the first time in an interview with Reuters.AT&T, saddled with USD 162 billion in debt, faces a litany of challenges. Stankey wants to convert HBO’s 35 million US subscriber base, which includes the 10 million customers AT&T controls, to HBO Max.These are a portion of the customers that currently pay for an AT&T-owned product such as DirecTV or AT&T wireless phone service. Although the Warner Brothers archive includes thousands of films and TV series like “The Shining” and “Scooby-Doo,” it does not have the same brand awareness as Disney properties like Pixar or Marvel.The key to that growth is to continue providing content in the style of HBO — the company defines that as “quality”; industry watchers invariably say “sexy” or “edgy” — to its current over-40 viewers, while expanding to a younger audience that is used to streaming content and does not want to pay for cable.
“The success of HBO Max is built on the ability for the company to rationalize why (the companies that AT&T bought) all belong together,” said Stankey earlier this month.Price could also be an obstacle: HBO Max is likely to cost slightly more than the USD 14.And while AT&T executives believe that HBO Max could reduce churn on its cell phone business to boost profits, the link may not be that clear.99 Netflix plan.As one of the final entries in the streaming wars, HBO Max faces a tough competitive landscape.99 the company charges for HBO — significantly more than competing services from Apple Inc (AAPL. In interviews with Reuters, Stankey and Robert Greenblatt, chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer, spelled out a plan to aggressively expand HBO’s base. 12.WarnerMedia will announce HBO Max pricing and details on Oct. They use a variety of euphemisms to make that distinction: from “thoughtfully curated” to “Not a Walmart” to “Premium.WarnerMedia is also investing in children’s content and will feature “Sesame Street” on HBO Max. “We bought DirecTV because we love the customer base and the customer base could be migrated into more on-demand-oriented products and services.O) early progress, and in the mid-range of Disney+, Walt Disney Co’s (DIS.By 2025, AT&T aims to reach about 80 million global subscribers, with about 50 million in the United States, a source briefed on the plans told Reuters.In the bestselling novel “Circe” — optioned by WarnerMedia for its forthcoming HBO Max streaming service — the daughter of the Greek god Helios tames wild beasts and menaces the gods.
“We didn’t buy DirecTV because we love satellite,” said Stankey.99) and Disney (USD 6.O) (USD 4.Selling HBO Max by piggybacking off the entrenched HBO service has its own challenges.Elliott is pressuring AT&T to justify its USD 85 billion acquisition of Time Warner — now called WarnerMedia — which it finalized in February, and to consider unwinding its USD 48. 29. T-Mobile gives away Netflix to some customers, and Verizon is providing a free year of Disney+ to some customers.N) Netflix rival, set to launch on Nov.WarnerMedia hopes this service will get a boost in 2021 when it launches an advertising-supported option at a lower cost, insiders said.WarnerMedia executives want “Circe” to unleash a different power: attracting young viewers to the company’s belated entry in the streaming-video war.5 billion purchase of DirecTV, which has rapidly bled subscribers.”Another opportunity to expand is by promoting HBO Max to DirecTV customers who do not already subscribe to HBO.After it launches the ad-supported option, the company will add live programming on HBO Max.Even as it expands beyond traditional HBO programming, executives want to position the new service as something different from Netflix, which AT&T’s Stephenson likened to Walmart at a 2018 investor conference.That focus explains the investment in shows like “Circe”; a “Gremlins” animated series; and a reboot of “Gossip Girl” that will appeal to the under-40 crowd
