I agree that Sky is already repositioning itself as an aggregator of content, but that doesn’t mean they will provide access to UHD content on their budget platform. They are very different business decisions.
My point was that if they did, it would be such an expensive way to buy it, why would you?
Your best hope is that BT have got access to it and can create discounted packages to make it more palatable for their customers.
I know you hang your hat on Sky loosing everything and the new WBD being a massive competitor, which it might, but I repeat, Sky is already the dominant European platform and that is not what the evidence suggests.
If you look at the earnings call for WBD this week they confirmed:
- Sky is a very important partner but nothing will change prior to 2025 and they will still be a key partner after it (analysts are reading that as HBO Max or equivalent will be rolled into a subscription like Paramount+ is, we will see)
- They have already started cutting costs (target $3 billion over the next 2 years), after the merger, canning a number of Warner Bros. and HBO productions
- They have started looking at laying off creative talent at HBO to cut costs (an absolute travesty in my view)
You should check out some of the coverage as it also confirmed HBO Max and Discovery+ being merged, just not here yet.
The Chief executive David Zaslav was quite clear about the need for fiscal responsibility after posting a $3.4 billion first quarter loss and he loves the cheap reality programmes that Discovery produces, not expensive quality shows like those on HBO or over inflated sports rights.
They are the stone cold business facts at this time, whatever we all may think or feel or want.
