What does it all mean? Beats me, Sarge. But I bet that it'll be ever so momentous.
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What does it all mean? Beats me, Sarge. But I bet that it'll be ever so momentous.
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If the deal goes through, I assume that HBO Max will be no more, and HBO will be kept only as a studio. Netflix is quite an umbrella, but it does not have the same willingness to display its catalogue of brands that Disney Plus shows.
I don't expect DC Comics to suffer. At least, not any more than it would under Warner. It should be very clear by this point that even DC itself accepts that its main role is to provide marketable IP for the studios and others to make use of. It is a small cog of a media enterprise, a farm - but comparatively not a very expensive farm to maintain. It is possible and perhaps very likely that the events regarding DC IP movies since 2008 or so have taught DC, Warner, Netflix and others well that good editorial vision and writing talent are not optional - and it probably does not hurt that DC is in something of a bright spot right now.
I would not rule out DC Comics going all-digital, perhaps even from day one. But I don't expect the comics to cease being made any time soon. It is just not sound business strategy to attempt to save money by closing down the comics publisher. The market message alone would make it more harming than helpful.
DC going all-digital would likely mean the end of me following DC. For me, "holding a comic in my hands" is an inherent part of the comics-reading experience that I would have a hard time doing without. I do think that "paper" comics may become what I believe "print" newspapers may become - a curiosity produced for an increasingly limited market.
"I would not rule out DC Comics going all-digital, perhaps even from day one."
"DC going all-digital would likely mean the end of me following DC."
That's what I would call "a good jumping off point."
Luis' analysis seems spot on to me.
I dont foresee DC going all-digital anytime soon. But I could see the DCUI interface & price structure changing due to Netflix ownership.
I suspect HBO will continue as a brand and a streaming service for a while, while sharing some content with Netflix. I'm thinking, if you want to see current shows like White Lotus, HBO Max would be the place, while older material like The Sopranos or Game of Thrones could exist on both platforms.
I'm wondering what happens to TCM at this point. From what I can tell, they'll be staying with Discovery. But what will they program without Warner Brothers' vast library giving them access to a so much material they don't have to license?
What does Netflix buying Warner Bros mean for DC Comics?
This is a good article, but slightly outdated. Unlike the other bidders, Netflix is only bidding for the movie-making and TV-story-making portions of the company. As for TV, they aren’t bidding on CNN and other more news-oriented pieces. Naturally, nothing has been said about DC Comics. Since it’s connected to the movies nowdays, IMO it should go where the movie-making goes. The Securities and Exchange Commission blessed the earlier Paramount acquisition, but the Big Boss at Paramount is favored by Trump. Not including CNN, etc, in the Netflix deal will probably improve its chances. Looking forward to the next Heidi MacDonald article.
I just received this pretty confident email from Netflix:
Welcoming Warner Bros. to Netflix
We recently announced that Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO. This unites our leading entertainment service with Warner Bros.’ iconic stories, bringing some of the world’s most beloved franchises like Harry Potter, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Casablanca, Game of Thrones and the DC Universe together with Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, Bridgerton and KPop Demon Hunters.
What’s changing?
Nothing is changing today. Both streaming services will continue to operate separately. We have more steps to complete before the deal is closed, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. You’ll hear from us when we have more to share. In the meantime, we hope you’ll continue to enjoy watching as much as you want, whenever you want - all on your current membership plan.
We know you might have questions. Check out our Help Center for more information or contact us at any time.
Thank you for choosing Netflix. We’re committed to bringing you more great TV shows, movies, games and live programming.
The Netflix team
They seem to be saying that whatever rights HBO has to movies from Warner Bros or elsewhere will still be with HBO.
If so, then I will assume it is the current situation, as opposed to that planned to exist in five or ten years time.
Netflix is not in the business of encouraging competing brands.
I just can't picture a future where Netflix aims to keep HBO Max as separate service in full competition with Netflix itself. Certainly not as a purely esthetical alternate portal with the same content as Netflix.
The email IMO supports my perception: it says that nothing will change today and that the services will operate separately, but right away says that there are steps to complete and a deal to close. The implication that something will change later is right there, and there is no obvious protection to the separation of streaming services.
it says that nothing will change today
Years ago, the bank that I worked for at the time got bought out by a larger bank. The new bosses came in and assured us that everyone would be kept in their current jobs for at least a year. A month later, the layoffs started.
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