Apologies for the cross posting..,
I think this HBO news was inevitable given the current OTT marketplace. A channel/platform like HBO can always use more cash for productions. They've tried launching a second night of viewing in the past (are they programming a 2nd now?) but realistically if they want to grow their channel outside the US, where they don't have first run films unlike the US, then they need more content to fill out their library. That requires more capital.
Where things become sketchy is the type of programming that HBO will offer under Stankey's expansion plans.
If AT&T insist on HBO becoming all things to all people then that's where the wheels will fall off, I just don't see stuff like 13 Reasons or Pretty Little Liars (for example) working on HBO but I can see more genre offerings (Demimonde and Watchmen being a start) working as the platform tries to compliment their well reviewed but pretty low rated dramas and comedies.
I think it's possible to increase the output that HBO has without diluting the brand and it's output too much. I don't see AT&T giving HBO 'Netflix levels' of spending (especially as they have an OTT service from WB in the works too) but AT&T probably see it as an undervalued and underfunded (relatively speaking) asset that has been underachieving (profitable but still programs a single night of shows and was late to get into the OTT game) for years.
I can easily see HBO offering 2 or even 3 nights or programming in the next couple of years as they transition into a more global platform.
Whaaa? How would Disney be any different in such a scenario? Let's see what Iger does with FX, which will surely be the cornerstone of their 'adult' OTT service when it's time comes.
I think this HBO news was inevitable given the current OTT marketplace. A channel/platform like HBO can always use more cash for productions. They've tried launching a second night of viewing in the past (are they programming a 2nd now?) but realistically if they want to grow their channel outside the US, where they don't have first run films unlike the US, then they need more content to fill out their library. That requires more capital.
Where things become sketchy is the type of programming that HBO will offer under Stankey's expansion plans.
If AT&T insist on HBO becoming all things to all people then that's where the wheels will fall off, I just don't see stuff like 13 Reasons or Pretty Little Liars (for example) working on HBO but I can see more genre offerings (Demimonde and Watchmen being a start) working as the platform tries to compliment their well reviewed but pretty low rated dramas and comedies.
I think it's possible to increase the output that HBO has without diluting the brand and it's output too much. I don't see AT&T giving HBO 'Netflix levels' of spending (especially as they have an OTT service from WB in the works too) but AT&T probably see it as an undervalued and underfunded (relatively speaking) asset that has been underachieving (profitable but still programs a single night of shows and was late to get into the OTT game) for years.
I can easily see HBO offering 2 or even 3 nights or programming in the next couple of years as they transition into a more global platform.
Whaaa? How would Disney be any different in such a scenario? Let's see what Iger does with FX, which will surely be the cornerstone of their 'adult' OTT service when it's time comes.
