WarnerMedia's HBO Max streaming service launched earlier this year, but it did so without the involvement of Roku, one of the largest digital media platforms. With Warner Bros. rolling out Wonder Woman 1984 simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max next week, not to mention their entire 2021 slate next year, it's good to know that Roku users won't be left in the dust as they've reached an agreement with WarnerMedia.
It's been announced that HBO Max will go live on Roku effective tomorrow. The terms of the deal haven't been disclosed but both sides have said that they were "pleased with finally resolving their differences." Per Variety, "Roku users who have already subscribed to HBO through Roku will have the existing HBO app on their devices automatically updated to become the HBO Max app, and they will be able to log in using their existing HBO credentials. It appears that going forward, Roku will no longer be able to sell HBO as a channel subscription in the Roku Channel store, a concession that both Amazon and Apple made in their agreements for HBO Max." In a statement, Scott Rosenberg, SVP of Roku's platform business, said:
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. 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.
Will you be adding HBO Max to your Roku service tomorrow?