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WBD readies price hike for Max, layoffs in streaming sector

The New Zealand studios of Warner Bros Discovery. (Photo via Google Street View)
The New Zealand studios of Warner Bros Discovery. (Photo via Google Street View)

Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is readying a fresh round of job cuts that could impact the company’s streaming divisions the hardest, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The report said WBD’s streaming-related advertising and tech divisions are likely to see the most pink slips, with the news outlet citing sources who did not want to be named because the plans are still fluid. WBD has already laid off more than 2,000 employees over the past 12 months, the report said.



The job cuts could coincide with a price increase on WBD’s cornerstone streaming service Max, which costs $10 per month with ads or $16 per month without. A premium ad-free version that includes 4K video streams and other features costs $20 per month.

Bloomberg didn’t say how much Max could cost when the price adjustment goes into effect. Currently, Max offers on-demand movies and TV shows from HBO and other WBD brands, along with live events from TNT Sports through the Bleacher Report Live add-on. The BR Live content has been available for free, but is expected to cost a separate $10 per month in the future.



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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting.
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