YouTube TV will be one of the first distributors for HBO Max when it launches in the spring.
As part of a new distribution deal between YouTube and WarnerMedia, the Google-owned company will offer those who subscribe to YouTube TV, its streaming bundle of live TV channels, the ability to add HBO Max to their subscriptions. The new distribution deal also adds HBO and Cinemax to YouTube TV’s channel offerings, while keeping Turner’s stable of channels on the service.
While the HBO and Cinemax channels will be available though the YouTube TV platform, subscribers will still need to watch HBO Max on the HBO Max platform. This agreement allows consumers to use their YouTube TV credentials to log in, while still adding the extra money for HBO Max onto their existing YouTube bill.
“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.”
The upcoming streaming service from WarnerMedia will launch sometime in May and cost $14.99 a month, the same price as a subscription to HBO. The service is launching amid a second flurry of newcomers; both Peacock and the short-form Quibi will debut in April.
“Our commitment at YouTube TV is to deliver TV to our members how and when they want it,” said Lori Conkling, Global Head of Partnerships at YouTube TV. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with WarnerMedia to deliver their family of networks that are popular among our members, as well as introduce HBO, Cinemax and HBO Max to our growing line-up of premium content.”
18 New Midseason TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers: From 'Broke' to 'Listen to Your Heart' (Photos)
When it comes to broadcast TV, winter is typically no fall -- but a few of this year's new midseason shows could have made the cut for an earlier start, ratings-wise. TheWrap has ranked all of 2020's midseason series premieres -- so far -- by their "live" total-viewer tallies. Spinoffs of Fox's "9-1-1" and CBS' "FBI" had impressive starts, The CW's "Riverdale" offshoot and ABC's "The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart" did not. Scroll through our gallery for the Nielsen returns for the 18 midseason shows that have debuted this season and check back for updates as more premiere. Least-watched is first, most-watched is last. Readers can find our Fall TV version of these rankings here.
Rank: 17 Show: "Duncanville" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 1.5 million
Fox
Rank: 16 Show: "Flirty Dancing" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 1.8 million* (*Time period premiere. Special post-NFL doubleheader series debut, which aired live across all timezones, earned 3.2 million viewers)
Fox
Rank: 15 Show: "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist"* Net: NBC Total Viewers: 2 million* (*Time period premiere. Sneak-peek preview of first episode got 2.7 million viewers)
NBC
Rank: 14 Show: "Indebted" Net: NBC Total Viewers: 2.1 million
NBC
Rank: 13 Show: "The Baker and the Beauty" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 2.6 million viewers
ABC
Rank: 12 Show: "The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 2.97 million
ABC
Rank: 11 Show: "For Life" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 3.178 million
ABC
Rank: 10 Show: "Outmatched" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 3.202 million
Fox
Rank: 9 Show: "Council of Dads" Net: NBC Total Viewers: 3.9 million
NBC
Rank: 8 Show: "Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector" Net: NBC Total Viewers: 4.4 million
NBC
Rank: 7 Show: "Deputy" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 4.6 million
Fox
Rank: 6 Show: "Tommy" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.787 million
CBS
Rank: 5 Show: "Lego Masters" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 4.837 million
Fox
Rank: 4 Show: "9-1-1: Lone Star" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 5.8 million* (*Time period premiere. Special post-NFC Championship series debut earned 11.5 million viewers)
Fox
Rank: 3 Show: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 6.3 million viewers
ABC
Rank: 2 Show: "Broke" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 7.05 million
CBS
Rank: 1 Show: "FBI: Most Wanted" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 7.19 million
CBS
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Two spinoffs started off strong — two did not
When it comes to broadcast TV, winter is typically no fall -- but a few of this year's new midseason shows could have made the cut for an earlier start, ratings-wise. TheWrap has ranked all of 2020's midseason series premieres -- so far -- by their "live" total-viewer tallies. Spinoffs of Fox's "9-1-1" and CBS' "FBI" had impressive starts, The CW's "Riverdale" offshoot and ABC's "The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart" did not. Scroll through our gallery for the Nielsen returns for the 18 midseason shows that have debuted this season and check back for updates as more premiere. Least-watched is first, most-watched is last. Readers can find our Fall TV version of these rankings here.