AT&T CEO Defends Warner Bros.' Streaming Plan, HBO Max Nears 12.6M Activated Subs

Over the weekend, WarnerMedia took a major step in its plan to make HBO Max a legit contender to Netflix by releasing one of its biggest films of the year, “Wonder Woman 1984,” on the streaming service.

When the news that HBO Max was going to be the day-and-date home for all of Warner Bros.’ major 2021 releases, including the highly-anticipated “Dune,” the industry was shaken. And it didn’t take long at all for Legendary, the co-financiers and co-producers of “Dune,” to come forward with a legal challenge.

Over the past couple of weeks, since the announcement that WarnerMedia is releasing all of the 2021 WB films on HBO Max the same day as in theaters, it appears that almost every filmmaker that has publicly spoken about the move has disagreed with the idea of collapsing the theatrical window. And those that understand the decision are still upset that WarnerMedia didn’t warn filmmakers before the announcement.

Steven Soderbergh has been a filmmaker that has consistently pushed the boundaries of whatever medium he’s working in. On the small screen, he’s pushed the limits of TV and on streaming platforms with projects like “Wireless” and “Mosaic.” In film, he’s tested new ways of filming things (with smaller cameras and even smartphones), as well as marketing films (taking on the role of de facto marketer for “Logan Lucky,” for example.

HBO Max has announced that the dating reality series 12 Dates of Christmas, which was created by the team behind Love Is Blind, will be coming back for a second season!

Chappelle’s Show will be removed by HBO Max by the end of 2020, honouring a request by Dave Chappelle.The news was confirmed by HBO and HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys, in conversation with Variety.“We had a conversation with Dave,” Bloys began.

‘It stopped being a party a long time ago,” is the new tagline for season four of HBO Max‘s “Search Party” and ain’t that the truth. Originally on TBS, “Search Party” was seemingly a fun, amusing, hip, funny show about millennials and millennial angst.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCasey Bloys is exploring a whole new range of programming options as he takes the creative reins at HBO Max.Bloys has been at the helm of HBO programming for a few years now, but was promoted to chief content officer of HBO and HBO Max back in August.

After the huge announcement by Warner Bros. to put all their 2021 films on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters, notorious theater-enthusiast Christopher Nolan was quick to blast the game-changing decision.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Messina is set for a lead role in the upcoming HBO Max pilot “Verbatim,” Variety has learned.The project is based on Brett Weiner’s New York Times Op Docs Series that screened at Sundance in 2014 and 2016.

Filmmakers have made their thoughts known. Theater chains have blasted the idea, already.

We’ve already heard from a number of filmmakers about the recent WB/HBO Max move, where more than a dozen high-profile Warner Bros. films will be debuting on the same date in theaters and on HBO Max in 2021.

AMC Theatres was already hurting before WarnerMedia made its announcement that it was sending WB’s entire 2021 film slate to HBO Max on the same day as theaters. And now, after that decision? Let’s just say AMC is none too pleased with the idea that one of the biggest studios in the world is threatening the future of the theatrical experience.

Judd Apatow is calling out Warner Bros.

Kate Aurthur editorDuring a wide-ranging conversation among screenwriters for Variety’s upcoming Virtual FYC Fest, Judd Apatow called the recent decision by Warner Bros.

Dune so that it will open in theatres and become available on HBO Max on the same day.Last week, Warner Bros announced that it will provide the simultaneous release for all of its 2021 movies, in response to the coronavirus pandemic’s severe impact on the stability of the traditional theatre-first release model.In a searing new essay for Variety, the Dune director said there was “absolutely no love for cinema, nor for the audience” in Warner Bros’ decision.“It is all about the survival of a

As Hollywood reckons with Warner Bros.' unprecedented streaming bet — the studio is sending 17 of its films directly to its parent company's service HBO Max in 2021 — talent agency CAA is objecting to the details of the plan.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorIt’s an enormous bet that threatens to alienate Hollywood’s A-list, and it may well make or break HBO Max in the coming year.

When it was announced that WarnerMedia was going to release every Warner Bros. 2021 film on HBO Max the same day as in theaters, the reactions were immediate and passionate.

Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind movies like Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong, reportedly is considering filing a lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the studio’s new release plans for the movies.