The big get bigger and the good get better for the consumer as Disney Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery have agreed on a new streaming bundle that may be the best bundle ever.
The package includes ABC, CNN, DC, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, FX, HBO, HGTV, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Searchlight, Warner Bros. But the cherries on top are Disney+, Hulu, and Max.
When the bundle becomes available this Summer, it will come in both an ad-supported and ad-free plan.
“On the heels of the very successful launch of Hulu on Disney+, this new bundle with Max will offer subscribers even more choice and value,” said Joe Earley, president, Direct to Consumer, Disney Entertainment.
“This incredible new partnership puts subscribers first, giving them access to blockbuster films, originals, and three massive libraries featuring the very best brands and entertainment in streaming today.”
“This new offering delivers for consumers the greatest collection of entertainment for the best value in streaming, and will help drive incremental subscribers and much stronger retention,” said JB Perrette, CEO and president, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros., Discovery.
Where does this leave the competition?
Are Peacock and Paramount shaking in their boots over this? Who knows, but it certainly puts them in a place where catching up will be tough.
Peacock may have already shot itself in the foot. For the second time in a year, the network is raising its prices, from $6 to $8 per month with ads and $12 to $14 per month without, but the higher prices won't go into effect until July 18 for new customers and August 17 for existing customers.
“The timing’s noteworthy for a couple of reasons: Peacock will stream the summer Olympics in their entirety starting July 26, so the price hike will squeeze a couple of extra dollars from folks who only join for the games,” Cord Cutter's Jared Newman, said.
But if the Summer Olympics are a must-see, there’s one silver lining inside Peacock’s price hike. Newman says that if you time things right, you can sign up before the price hike and still watch the Olympics in their entirety. You can also lock in a year for $30 right now by using the code PF50 on Peacock’s website.
Fubo – an ad-supported “free” service that just hit a record number of subscribers – may get hurt the most out of the Warner-Disney deal. Fubo tried to reach a new agreement with Warner Bros., Discovery, but walked away from the negotiation table with nothing. It lost 19 channels, including Discovery, HGTV, and Food Network,