HBO Max Jumpstarts Sub Growth Via Amazon Prime Channels to 96.1 Million at End of 2022
February 23, 2023
Warner Bros. Discovery Feb. 23 reported it added 1.1 million direct-to-consumer subscription streaming video subscribers worldwide in the fourth quarter (ended Dec. 31, 2022), driven in part by the re-launch of HBO Max on Amazon Prime Channels in December. The media giant ended 2022 with 96.1 million combined subscribers (including HBO and Discovery+), up from 95 million at the end of the third quarter, ended Sept. 30, 2022.
The company plans to announce details on the combined Max/Discovery streaming service in a media event on April 12.
North American streaming subs ended the year at 54.6 million, from 53.6 million at the end of September 2022, and 51.2 million subs at the end of 2021. International subs increased by 100,000 to 41.5 million, from 41.4 million in Q3. International subs stood at 34.9 million at the end of 2021.
SVOD revenue increased 6% to $2.45 billion, from $2.31 billion in Q3. Operating expenses declined 12% to $2.668 billion, from $3.031 billion in Q3. Adjusted pre-tax losses declined to $217 million, from an operating loss of $728 million the previous quarter.
Max’s return to Prime Channels followed the platform’s departure in 2021 after AT&T failed to reach a fiscal distribution agreement with Amazon — a decision that reportedly cost Max 5 million subscribers.
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Warner Bros. Discovery formally began operations on April 11, 2022, following consummation of Discovery’s $43 billion acquisition of a minority stake and majority control of the former WarnerMedia from AT&T.