YouTube TV has scored a win against its streaming TV rivals with a deal to bring HBO and Cinemax to its service.
The TV streaming wars are heating up as companies fight to gain and keep subscribers, not just from traditional TV and cable companies, but also from each other. Hulu, Sling TV, fuboTV, CBS All Access, Disney+ and Apple TV+ are all vying for content, networks, channels and programming.
YouTube TV just inked a deal with WarnerMedia to bring HBO, Cinemax and the upcoming HBO Max to YouTube customers. HBO’s content has been available to Hulu, Amazon Prime and AT&T Now subscribers for some time. The deal rounds out YouTube TV’s lineup and helps the service better compete with its rivals. The deal also ensures YouTube TV continued access to WarnerMedia’s other channels, such as TBS, TNT, truTV, CNN, HLN, Turner Classic Movies, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network.
“As consumers’ media consumption habits continually evolve and the landscape becomes more and more dynamic, our goal remains constant, and that is to make the portfolio of WarnerMedia networks available as widely as possible,” said Rich Warren, president of WarnerMedia Distribution. “YouTube has been a valued partner for a number of years, and we’re pleased to not only extend our existing agreement, but also make HBO and Cinemax – and soon HBO Max – available to YouTube TV customers for the first time.”
When HBO Max debuts, it will not be accessible directly in YouTube TV, but customers will be able to use their YouTube TV credentials to log in.