Can someone explain why HBO merging with Discover means that all of these shows are now disappearing. I don't quite understand whats going on, it's not like after these companies merge the monster that comes out of it won't own these properties.
I just really don't understand the sperging or the ultimate decision behind the sperging.
Here is why the shows are disappearing.
1. Due to Discovery merging with WB rather than buying it, they have loop hole which allows the new management to write off content for tax reasons. Some shows are projected to take years to make money back so they can go back and make something like Here and Now which is a HBO Show from 2018 a tax write off. If a show is a tax write off that means you won't be able to watch it legally again. Other like Batgirl just don't fit with what they are planning brand wise can also be wrote off. However their is a time limit for them to do this, however unsure however long that time limit is and should only be limited to projects in the works before the merger.
2. The will have to may to pay residuals and if they are getting so low viewership it may not be worth the trouble with admit costs and the such.
3. They are planning to move some content to Discovery+, so that could explain the reason for some of the reality tv stuff. Also seems that some stuff they may move over to HBO normal or even just Cartoon Network.
4. They have said they plan to keep all the big ips on HBO Max however they will start licencing out content to other streaming platform for stuff that does lesser number. So may see them turn up on Netflix or some other service or even just another TV channel.
5. Could be removing content so when they do the new streaming service that combines HBO Max and Discovery+ it seems like it has a lot more new content then it really does. However this one is doubtful.
6. They have an free ad based platform in the works, it is possible they will put some of the lower preforming content on that instead to maximize the money earned from them, while keeping full season of bigger shows behind the paid tiers (one with no ads and one with some ads). Hulu in fact make more money with the paid ad tier than they do with the full price no ad one per a user, so is logic in that. Aren't in alone in this doing a full ad funded streaming app as well, Amazon have Freevee, Paramount have Pluto TV and Fox has tubi.
In terms of them making less animation overall, we really don't know what they are planning. But here is a few thing it could mean or some of the reasons I could see but also covers why people are worried.
1. They don't see the need for more animated shows just less but bigger hits. Stuff like Teen Titans Go or Adventure Time, will not have only done better numbers than those removed from HBO Max but will have also sold more merchandise. So less cartoons overall but overall more cartoons that more have revenue streams.
2. Original cartoons on streamers just don't do big numbers on streamers unless they are based on already known IP. Same reason why Netflix is moving away from original animation tv shows to stuff based on known IPS like Boss Baby, they just do better.
3. They maybe planning to just rerun older stuff from their back catalog to cover the time slots that would have been used for newer animation. While the older stuff may get less overall viewership it saves them money in over areas which could offset the lower viewership. However worth noting Animaniacs did huge business when it was put on Netflix gotlots of newer viewers, this also caused a bidding war for the reboot of the show which Hulu won.
4. Looking up they have had a number of shows under perform such as ThunderCats Roar which was canceled after 1 season, while animation can be cheap but when you have a huge order of 52 episodes even if they are only 10 minutes each the cost adds up. So this could also mean they will do shorter orders of animation rather than the common big upfront orders.
But well still don't know if this will hit adult animation or video on demand movie they do with DC ip and others such as Scooby Doo. However theatrical animation seems more than safe with WBD making it be one of the main sectors within their theatrical strategy.
So sperging comes from a place of just not knowing, not liking what the changes mean for new stuff that could have been made and most importantly some stuff never being able to buy legally again or never seeing the light of day despite being done or nearly done.
So in the case of Batgirl, it legit does mean that movie can legally never see the light of day even if WBD changes their mind, and highly doubtful even if someone bought the company and paid back the tax write off that they could show it.
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