The streaming box leader Roku and WarnerMedia announced this week a key agreement to bring HBO Max to millions of Roku devices.
Starting on Dec. 17, Roku users could begin downloading HBO Max from the Roku channel store, and subscribe directly on their Roku device to access all of HBO Max, which includes 10,000 hours of curated premium storytelling from the iconic brands of HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Adult Swim and much more. However, that content is not available in other markets like Canada, although a partial list of HBO programming is available through a partnership with Canadian streamer Crave.
For users who have already subscribed to HBO through their Roku devices, the HBO app will automatically update to become the HBO Max app, and they will be able to log in using their existing HBO credentials.
The highly anticipated Wonder Woman 1984 debuts in theaters and on HBO Max on Christmas Day and will be available to HBO Max subscribers on their Roku devices directly from their living rooms at no additional cost. Again, viewers in Canada and other markets will not be able to access WW 1984 or any of the other movies WB is releasing this year through HBO Max, until films have completed their theatrical run.
The CEO of Cineplex, Canada’s largest theatre chain, has conceded that his company is making concessions by showing Wonder Woman 1984 when it is also streaming on US television. Ellis Jacob said Cineplex usually prevents films from any type of TV distribution until they’ve been in theaters for 90 days.
For US viewers, however, the Roku deal with WarnerMedia means a torrent of new content will be made available to Roku users through a simple subscription service on the device.
“We believe that all entertainment will be streamed and we are thrilled to partner with HBO Max to bring their incredible library of iconic entertainment brands and blockbuster slate of direct to streaming theatrical releases to the Roku households with more than 100 million people that have made Roku the No. 1 TV streaming platform in America,” said Scott Rosenberg, Senior Vice President, Platform Business, Roku. “Reaching mutually beneficial agreements where Roku grows together with our partners is how we deliver an exceptional user experience at an incredible value for consumers and we are excited by the opportunity to deepen our longstanding relationship with the team at WarnerMedia.”
From WarnerMedia’s point of view, the deal with Roku can be seen as a potentially massive boost in its efforts to increase subscriptions to HBO Max. Roku reportedly has the largest number of streaming boxes in American homes of any provider.
“HBO Max is an incredible product with an unparalleled content offering that puts the consumer at the center, and we’re thrilled that Roku users will be able to experience all the great stories HBO Max has to offer,” said Tony Goncalves, Chief Revenue Officer, WarnerMedia. “We’re breaking new ground in the months ahead, and we can’t wait to work with our longtime partners at Roku to build on our past successes and bring HBO Max’s best-in-class quality entertainment to Roku’s large and highly engaged audience.”
That content will include long-running and newer HBO Max content, including HBO original series like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, to newer favorites like Lovecraft Country and The Undoing, award-winning specials and documentaries, and new movies every week. In 2021, Roku users will have access to a full slate of Warner Bros. films that will debut on HBO Max in the U.S. concurrently with their theatrical releases, including The Matrix 4, Mortal Kombat, The Suicide Squad, and Space Jam: A New Legacy.