Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is speeding up the launch of a combined HBO Max/Discovery+ streaming service, a decision that comes as the company is facing growing pressure on its traditional media businesses from cord-cutting and a slowdown in advertising.
Speaking to analysts to discuss the company’s latest quarterly results, Chief Executive David Zaslav said: “While we have lots more work to do, and there are some difficult decisions still to be made, we have total conviction in the opportunity ahead,” adding that the as-yet unnamed service would become available in the U.S. in the spring, sooner than the previously announced summer release.
