David Zaslav discusses potential for HBO Max price increase

The Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, David Zaslav, shared some interesting insights about the future of streaming prices. He believes that despite the current frustration with the number of streaming services available, there’s a “real opportunity” to increase prices down the line. According to Zaslav, consumers are actually paying a lot less for content now compared to a decade ago. He mentioned that consumers were shelling out about $55 for content back then, whereas now they’re spending much less.

Zaslav pointed out that some streaming services like Peacock and Apple TV+ have recently raised their prices by $3 per month. Apple TV+ now costs $13.99 per month, and Peacock Premium ranges from $10.99 to $16.99 per month. On the other hand, HBO Max subscriptions can range from $9.99 to $20.99 per month depending on the plan you choose.

He also hinted at the possibility of more bundle offerings in the future, like the successful bundle between HBO Max and Disney+. Zaslav mentioned that this partnership has resulted in high user engagement and satisfaction, which might lead to more similar collaborations in the future.

In terms of cracking down on password-sharing, Zaslav mentioned that Warner Bros. Discovery has been a bit lenient because they want users to fall in love with HBO Max and its content. However, they do plan to implement stricter measures starting in September to deter unauthorized password sharing.

Warner Bros. Discovery aims to have at least 150 million streaming subscribers by the end of 2026, with profits expected to exceed $1.3 billion in 2025. The company is on track to separate its linear network and streaming businesses by the second quarter of 2026.

Zaslav also mentioned an upcoming CNN product that will launch in the next six weeks. This new CNN offering will be available for a price, starting in the U.S. and eventually worldwide.

Overall, Zaslav sees a promising future for streaming services, with potential price increases, collaboration opportunities, and new product launches on the horizon. Stay tuned for more updates as the streaming landscape continues to evolve!