What each streaming service has up its sleeve in 2023 • TechCrunch

Major streaming services have increased their game in 2022 by launching ad-supported Tiers, new live sports agreements, and hugely successful original series. Media companies can’t help but increase the stakes in the streaming wars. From the HBO Max/Discovery+ merged streaming service to Netflix’s password-sharing offering, here’s what SVOD (subscription video-on-demand) streaming servicesHave plans for next year and beyond.

What HBO Max/Discovery+ has in store for 2023

Discovery was first to announce this in January. acquiredWarnerMedia to create Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) becomes one of the largest media companies in the United States.

TechCrunch reported this many times. HBO Max and Discovery+In 2023, they will be combining. This springWBD will launch an a merged streaming serviceThis pair HBO originalsAnd Warner Bros. films with Discovery+’s content library of unscripted shows, documentaries and more. Subscribers will have access almost 200,000 hours of programming, as well as over 100 brands such as CNN, TBS/TNT/TruTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim. Food Network. TLC, HGTV. ID. Animal Planet.

The streaming service will be available in English. reportedly be called just “Max,”And will make its debut in the U.S. before launching in Latin America and then in Europe in 2024. While there will be an ad-free and ad-supported option, its ad-free offering will likely cost more than what subscribers pay now for HBO Max’s premium plan, which is $14.99/month.

“Max,” or whatever the company decides to call it, will be a major contender in the streaming wars. HBO, HBO Max and Discovery+ ended Q3 2022Globally, 94.9 million subscribers have been combined.

WBD is also working on a free, ad-supported streaming service (FAST), to keep up with other FAST competitors, such as Peacock TV, Pluto TV, Tubi, and Amazon Freevee.

RecentlyThe company pulled over a dozen HBO originalsFrom HBO Max, which will soon be available on third-party streaming services. This includes “Westworld,” “The Nevers,” “Raised by Wolves,” “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Love Life,” “Made for Love,” “Minx,” “Finding Magic Mike,” “Head of the Class,” “FBOY Island,” “Legendary,” “Gordita Chronicles” and “The Garcias.”

These titles will be available once WBD launches its FAST product.

What Netflix has in store for 2023

Netflix2022 was a memorable year. The company launchedIts $6.99/month ad supported tier allows consumers to save some money on their streaming habits. The move validates a common trend in the industry right now — ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) is in. In 2023, Netflix’s “Basic with Ads” plan is predictedDoug Anmuth, J.P. Morgan analyst, stated that there were 7.5 million domestic subscribers.

Netflix’s subscriber base also rebounded in Q3 2022 after increasing by 2.41 million subscribersThis brings the total to 223.09 millions. The company had previously experienced two bleak quartersA total of 1.2 million global subscribers.

We know that the streamer has three notable projects for 2023.

In early 2023, Netflix will launch an “Extra Members” feature to monetize password sharing. Account members will be prompted to pay an additional fee to add this feature. sub-accountPeople who share the streaming service.

The company has already launched a “Profile Transfer” feature, which lets a member on an existing account transfer their profile to a brand-new account and a “Manage Access and Devices” feature, which allows account owners to remotely log out of devices they don’t want to be signed in to the account.

The streaming service will also be available in the next year. livestreaming capabilityWith Chris Rockto be the first one to test the offering for the comedy special. Streamers could attract new subscribers by streaming live content.

Netflix will not launch a streaming service, unfortunately. live sports offering. Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, spoke at the UBS Global TMT Conference. said, “We’ve not seen a profit path to renting big sports.”

The company plans to continue its investments in gaming beyond next year. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2022Mike Verdu, Netflix VP Gaming revealedIt is likely that a cloud gaming service will soon be available. This is a smart move by Netflix, as the global cloud gaming market has been. $1.6 billionIn revenue for 2021

Similarly, there’s a possibility that Netflix will get into PC gaming since it’s looking to hire a game director who’ll be in charge of launching a AAA PC game.

Netflix’s mobile gaming library continues to expand. Netflix will be launched in 2023 50 mobile gamesSo far.

What Disney+ has in store for 2023

Looking back at 2022 Disney+It saw many major changes, including the launch ad-supported tieras well as unexpected returns Bob IgerAs CEO.

The “Disney+ Basic” plan is $7.99/month and was launchedTo increase the number of Disney+ subscribers. The company hopes to reach 230-260 millions Disney+ subscribers in 2024. Disney+ reported in the fourth quarter 2022. 164.2 million global subscribersIn total.

But, there is one. major issueWith the ad launch, Disney+ Basic was not available on Roku devices. TechCrunch estimates that Disney and Roku will reach an agreement to change that sometime in late 2023 — but that’s just a guess.

Alongside Disney+’s new subscription plan, the streamer introduced changes to the Disney Bundle as well as a price hikeTo its ad free plan.

Bob Chapek, Disney’s CEO, resigned in November 2022. Bob Iger, the former CEO who had vacated the post in 2021, was elected to replace him. Iger should be able to help the company achieve profitability by fiscal 2024. In Q4 2022, when Chapek was still CEO, Disney’s direct-to-consumer division lost $1.5 billion in revenue.

Disney+ plans an international expansion to 30 countries by 2023. This would increase the total number of countries Disney+ can be reached. over 160 countries. Over the summer, the streamer launched in 42 countries and 11 territories.

Also, beginning next year, Disney+ will be the exclusive international home for new “Doctor Who” episodes.

An important feature of the streaming service will be an ability to upload videos. exclusive shopping experience for Disney+ subscribers. The online shop, currently in testing, sells merchandise from Disney-owned brands like Star Wars, Marvel and Disney Animation Studios. The company is also said to be exploring the possibility for a membership program similar like Amazon Prime. Both features are not yet scheduled for launch.

What Hulu has in store for 2023

The Disney-owned streaming site did not do much. HuluThis year, aside from being annoying price increasesAnd losing titlesPeacock is the closest competitor. However, the streamer reached a milestone of 58 Emmy nominations. Hulu also plans to launch 2023 with 47.2 millions subscribers.

If you’ve been following the Disney/Comcast spectacle, then you know that Disney is expected to buy Comcast’s stake in Hulu by the end of 2024. Comcast holds 33% of Hulu, while Disney has 66%. Chapek made a reference to this in an interview when he was CEO. Variety interview that Disney could buy the rights sooner than that — perhaps in 2023. This depends on if Comcast “is willing to have discussions that would bring that to fruition earlier,” Chapek said.

Whenever Disney ends up buying Comcast’s stake in Hulu — either by 2023 or 2024 — the company may be planning on merging Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+. “You know the term soft bundle and hard bundle, right? Soft bundle means, hey, you can buy all three services for the low cost of X. The hard bundle is when everything flows seamlessly and without friction. You have to switch between Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ right now. In the future, we may have less friction,” Chapek told Variety.

Many Disney Bundle subscribers would be delighted if Disney+ and Hulu were to be integrated into one platform. While it most likely won’t be a full integration like HBO Max and Discovery+, it will still be an amalgamation of epic proportions. Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+ have combined 235.7 million subscribers.

What Amazon Prime Video plans for 2023

Prime Video had a successful 2022, becoming the exclusive home of the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football,” which had its first game watched by 15.3 million viewers, and its “The Lord of the Rings” spinoff was the most-watched series with over 100 million viewers worldwide. “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is confirmed for a second season.

It’s fair to say that Amazon is heavily investing in content and will continue doing so for the next few years. Amazon continues to invest in live sport, for example. The streaming service will be the home to an assortment of live sports in 2023. exclusive NFL Black Friday gameThe league’s first Black Friday game was.

Amazon could also gamble with theatrical movies. according to Bloomberg. The publication reported that Amazon might spend more than $1B a year to produce 12-15 films that will premiere in theaters, before they are available on its streaming service. This would be a significant, but expensive gamble for Amazon as it has not yet invested this much in original movies.

The streamer has various original series in the pipeline, including the greenlit limited series “Blade Runner 2099,” a “God of War” live-action series and even at least one “Warhammer 40,000” title that will have “Man of Steel” actor Henry Cavill as the lead.

Amazon is closing a deal to develop animated DC series for Prime Video with Warner Bros. Channing Dungey is the Chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group. said, “We are in the process of closing a big deal with Amazon that’s going to feature some of our DC branded content in animation.” For HBO Max to share IP, especially DC content, is extremely notable and will likely boost subscription growth for Prime Video.

As more SVOD streaming services shift to AVOD, we wouldn’t be surprised if Prime Video considers launching a cheaper ad-supported tier. It’s possible that such an offering would pay off big for Amazon. It’s estimated that Netflix will see $600 million in advertising sales in 2023 alone.

Amazon already offers an ad-supported service so this move makes sense. Freevee. Amazon Prime Video is also testing a new ad format called virtual product placementThe company announced the acquisition in May.

What Apple TV+ plans for 2023

Apple TV+Apple TV+ has announced its first venture into live sports this year. Apple TV+ is expected to keep up with this trend in 2023, according to our predictions.

Apple TV+’s first live sports deal was closed in March 2022. Major League Baseball, bringing fans “Friday Night Baseball” games as well as a live show “MLB Big Inning.” The company is launching its subscription service for Major League Soccer fans, “MLS Season Pass” in February 2023.

Apple TV+, the rival to Amazon, would greatly benefit from an advertising-supported tier. Apple TV+ recently increased its subscription cost to $6.99/month or $69/year.

What Paramount+ is planning in 2023

Paramount+2022 ends with 46 million global subscribers, which was mainly driven mainly by the new partnership Walmart+,The site boasts 16 million subscribers and also offers premium subscriptions. The Roku ChannelAnd YouTube. Paramount+ has been updated recently. reported a record number of subscriber sign-ups in November when it premiered its latest hit series “Tulsa King,” starring Sylvester Stallone.

Paramount+ has plans to increase streaming content spending to $6 Billion by 2024, an increase of $2 billion from 2022, and reach 100 million subscribers by 2024. It also plans to expand international growthIt includes 150 international original titlesBy 2025

With the release of high-budget films like “Top Gun: Maverick” and Paramount+ continuing to rely on popular IP, the streamer will likely achieve substantial subscriber growth in 2023. Paramount+ just launched an additional feature: in-app Showtime bundleSubscribers will have access to more content

Paramount+ and Showtime may merge in the near future, however. During Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia + Technology Conference, CEO of Paramount Global, Bob Bakish, confirmedInternal talks had already taken place about a merger. While a decision hasn’t been made yet, integrating Showtime into Paramount+ would be the best move for the company.

Paramount+ also plans to increase its price. During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, Paramount Global Executive Vice President and CFO, Naveen Chopra, said that “opportunities to increase price on Paramount+” is to be expected.

What Peacock has in mind for 2023

Peacock scored a major win in 2022, as it doubled its paid subscribers to 18,000,000 this year. This was mainly due to Bravo next day episodes and NBC. pulled from Huluearlier in the year. Peacock was also the Spanish language streaming home for all World Cup games.

In terms of other content coming to the streaming service in 2023, Peacock will premiere the “John Wick” prequel series, “The Continental,” as well as original series like “Poker Face,” starring “Russian Doll” star Natasha Lyonne. The streamer also recently announced its first original adult animation series, “In the Know,” which will feature “Beavis and Butt-Head” creator Mike Judge and “Silicon Valley” actor Zach Woods.

Peacock will become the exclusive streaming partner of Netflix beginning in 2023. JetBlueThis is a significant deal that will expand its service to more customers.

Peacock is on the right track, but it’s possible that some non-paying subscribers will be disappointed over the next 12 months. Jeff Shell, CEO at NBCUniversal stated that “at some point” the company wants to convert Xfinity users to paid subscribers of Peacock. This means customers of Comcast’s Xfinity cable and internet services might not be able to get the streaming service as a free perk anymore. Peacock would find this move logical, since the streaming service is available for free to 30 million active monthly users.