At&t bungles rollout of HBO MAX

Well, the big day is here for HBO Max. Or . . . not. The WarnerMedia unit of AT&T decided that it couldn’t compete with Netflix (63 million U.S. subscribers) unless it massively upsized HBO (35 million) with billions of dollars’ worth of new programming and more library titles. So Warner bought back the rerun rights to (its own show) Friends, formerly a Netflix staple, and bragged that it would pay millions to get the original cast back together for a reunion special that appears to be the most expensive chat show ever conceived ($2.5 million to $3 million for each of the six actors). Launch day for this entertainment juggernaut was set earlier this spring for today. Subscribers to HBO Now, the over-the-top service for HBO viewers who cut the cord with their cable companies, were promised that they’d be given this treasure trove of additional programming gratis, with the price for the upgraded service remaining the same $14.99 a month we’ve been paying for plain HBO, and without even having to download a new app.

And what happened? Thanks to the coronavirus, the centerpiece event of the HBO Max launch, the Friends reunion, is not happening for a while. Oh, and the HBO Max service is only available to some HBO subscribers. If you get your HBO Now through Roku or Amazon Fire TV, you’re out of luck. HBO Max has not yet secured agreements with these companies to pass along its signal, nor with Dish Network/Sling TV. (A deal with Comcast XFinity was just announced after the service launched without this platform).

AT&T is feverishly negotiating behind the scenes to complete these deals, but for one of the world’s leading entertainment companies to fail to make these deals in time for a much-ballyhooed launch date is an embarrassment.

AT&T COO John Stankey recently declared, of Netflix, in that hyper-confident CEO style, “They are the enemy. We’re going to crush them.” Netflix must be giggling into its handkerchief right now.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nationalreview.com/corner/att-bungles-hbo-max-rollout/amp/

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I really wanted HBO Max to succeed even though the early warning signs were lousy. Really...Friends? This relic wasn't that funny to begin with and the reunion is pointless other than the cast now having income to pay the mortgage.
Pointing out all the knuckle headed executive and creative decisions is like tripping a dwarf. A series on how AT&T bungled this sorry attempt at becoming the new Netflix needs to be made. Anyone have a title?

I just downloaded the HBO MAX app on my Xbox today (Not supported on ROKU or Samsung smart TV’s yet). It seems to work well and I appreciate the expansive movie and show library, but the original content is weak and it doesn’t help that the Friends Reunion isn’t available at launch. Not having to pay extra as I already have AT&T TV Now subscription so I’m fine with it for now. It’ll be a welcome add on to my TV Now service, but their is no way I’d pay $15/month for MAX as a stand-alone service. Perhaps at some point down the line in the future when it is more mature with a steady rollout of original content, but not worth it for the price right now IMO.

It’s too bad really and as an employee, I’m kind of curious as to why we are throwing so much money at OTT programming/content when that market is already over-saturated and highly competitive. If it’s to simply drive us away from traditional video delivery (Legacy DTV, U-verse, etc) to reduce operating costs long term, I kind of get it, but we’re going to have to do a lot better and become a real innovator in the OTT market for this to have a significant positive impact on our bottom line.

@1esf+15avdpyR, that is a lot of words to say that the SBC's executives running the company with the AT&T name are inept. They are the issue.

So glad I left att on my own I am liking IT again along with my job. Att was such a horrible place to work I am surprised they still have customers and this rollout is something att deserves in my book. Karma is good.

In general, a lot of AT&T issues are marketing too early, not delivering on time, not enough customer input or focus groups (Listening), execution, quality of the products and customer service. There is also too many names for the same product (internet/tv/voice & HBO) with different delivery systems, too confusing for the customer. Simplicity is your friend (KISS), the shell game has a lot of customers frustrated and the customer care line is a nightmare to navigate. This has become a repetitive trend.

Being late to a party isn’t always a buzz k–ler or Tesla vehicle’s wouldn’t be so sought after and they are in a 120 + year industry and many more examples could be stated. People will pay more for innovative premium quality products that has great customer service behind it, that formula will never change. A good example would be how Apple does it and its in a commodity world. Have a good R&D (like Bell Labs used to be). Make premium products, fully develop with quality control while allowing customers to have input on what they would like to see in something new and pro/con previous products. Selective leaks to media of upcoming projects to build hype, a publicized national rollout and respond immediately to any issues that the customer is having with the product. Once again KISS with transparency on pricing.

We are going to transform What? Again?

I can't wait until HBO does the docudrama for when the death star finally explodes: AT&T The Slowest Adults in the C-Suite

“ There is no getting around the fact that CNN is a mouthpiece of the democrat party and is peddling fake news everyday to attack the a President !”

Lol drink some bleach with your President toddler.

I cringe every time I see CNN mentioned in a positive light . ATT should do the right thing and clean house there if they truly want to attract viewers . There is no getting around the fact that CNN is a mouthpiece of the democrat party and is peddling fake news everyday to attack the a President !

Bruh I just need them to post the old WB shows from the 90s. Very weak opening catalog

It’s DOA. Just like ATT TV.

it went as expected.

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At&t bungles rollout of HBO MAX

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