Three months after renewing its carriage deal with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), Charter Communications is activating one of the perks of that new deal for its Spectrum TV customers.
This week, subscribers of the Spectrum TV Select package will have access to the ad-supported tier of Max at no extra cost, saving customers $10 per month off the retail price of the service.
The perk is rooted in Charter’s continued deal to carry WBD-owned channels, including CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, which will continue to be available in Spectrum TV packages.
Discovery Plus is also included in the carriage deal, and Spectrum TV intends to offer that service and a handful of others early next year, a spokesperson confirmed to The Desk on Thursday.
“Integrating services like Max into Spectrum TV Select furthers our goal of offering fulsome video products that include the best of linear and streaming programming,” Tom Montemagno, the Executive Vice President of Programming Acquisition at Charter, said in a statement.
Since last year, Charter has been focused on renewing distribution agreements with broadcasters and programmers that include access to network-owned streaming products like Hulu, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus and Vix Plus. All of those services are now available to most Spectrum TV customers (in some cases, the ad-supported platform is offered, with an option to pay a few dollars more to remove ads from on-demand content), and more services are coming next year, including Comcast-owned Peacock.
When considered together, Montemagno said Charter customers save up to $80 per month by having streaming services included in their pay TV plan, compared to what they would pay if they purchased all of those services on their own.
“We appreciate WBD’s shared commitment to re-imagining the future of video and embracing a model that is good for our respective customers and both our companies,” Montemagno said.
Max is WBD’s flagship streaming service, offering access to shows and movies from HBO, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, CNN, TBS, TNT, DC Universe, Hanna Barbera, Warner Bros Pictures and Discovery Networks, among others. Through various add-ons, it also offers live news from CNN and CNN International, and premium athletic events from TNT Sports.
“Launching Max with Spectrum is a key part of our landmark deal with Charter, and an exciting new place for millions of homes across the country to enjoy our premium streaming content, including award-winning series and films from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, and so much more,” said Scott Miller, the President of Networks and Streaming Distribution at WBD.
As of the third financial quarter (Q3), Charter counted more than 12.4 million residential Spectrum TV subscribers. The company’s pay TV and broadband Internet services reach more than 58 million homes and businesses across 41 states.
