AT&T has announced that it hopes to attract many more subscribers than initially expected to its streaming platform HBO MAX and its cable channel HBO thanks in particular to an expansion abroad and a version with advertising.
This comes on the heels of huge 5G spectrum expenses that continue to adversely affect their revenue
The telecom giant expects to have between 120 million and 150 million subscribers by 2025, up from its October 2019 goal of having between 75 million and 90 million subscribers by that date, a statement detailed.
It had 61 million at the end of 2020.
For comparison, Netflix claimed 204 million subscribers at the same date while Disney's platforms (Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu) had 146 million subscribers.
To fuel its expansion, AT&T plans to launch HBO MAX in 60 countries outside the U.S. in 2021: 39 in Latin America and the Caribbean at the end of June and 21 in Europe in the second half of the year.
The group will also launch a version of HBO MAX in the United States that includes advertising.
Such an expansion should enable HBO to double its revenues over the next five years and reach profitability in 2025.