If Disney+ is the exclusive
streaming service for Disney to showcase its media and original content, then
Warner Bros. under WarnerMedia has HBO Max as its counterpart. True, it is not
as exclusive as Disney+ (Disney itself is a third-party content provider for
their library), but it does have some formidable exclusive originals that might
be worth subscribing to HBO Max for, like “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” for
those disappointed by the 2017 release version. WarnerMedia does seem aware
that its offerings are somewhat lacking in what Disney+ and even Netflix have
lots of, so they are starting to get more content appropriate for kids.
According to The Verge, HBO Max is looking towards its content providers for more
all-ages media to add to its streaming offerings. To do so, it is shining the
spotlight on one of these (first-party) providers, being a fellow production
unit under WarnerMedia: Cartoon Network. The cable network, run by WB
Entertainment, has already been adding some of its shows to HBO Max. Now
however, the platform is looking on CN to help give them a more child-friendly
place to binge-stream, and perhaps even take away some young viewers already
invested in Disney+ and Netflix.
Netflix for example has been
determined in a 2020 study by Morning Consult saw that 55 percent of children in
their survey, aged 5-12, would go to Netflix for shows to watch. Almost all of
the remaining 65 percent would turn to YouTube. Furthermore, these children are
those who are relying more on streaming platforms to watch the media they want,
while jumping ship from “traditional” sources like TV. Iconic children’s channel
Nickelodeon actually saw its viewer count decrease from 2015 to 2020 by half.
It is no surprise then that HBO Max content head Casey Bloys is being tasked to
allocate content to cover all members of the family.
From its unveiling to its launch
in May 2020, HBO Max has had the reputation of being the “grownups’ streaming
service.” Working on the knowledge that children comprise a lot of streamers
that could convince their parents to subscribe, HBO Max via Cartoon Network is
going to begin developing all-ages content that could start arriving as early
as next year. And they have to hurry, as Netflix and Disney+ consolidate their
lead, and Paramount+ begins shaping up Nickelodeon as their own children’s
content provider too.
Image courtesy of Hollywood Reporter
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