Back in the day when “Friends” ended its iconic run in 2004, to steal a line from its catchy theme song, no one told you life was gonna to be this way. And by this way, we mean today’s landmark launch of HBO Max, the subscription streaming platform that promises to give Netflix, Amazon and Hulu a run for their money.
It’s the latest entry in the competition for eyeballs that also includes Disney+, Apple TV+, the soft-launched Peacock, which goes full stream in mid-July, CBS All Access and Quibi, an app built for “quick bite” shows on cell phones, which is already changing its focus.
The powerhouse HBO Max platform boasts not only classic television series that are the equivalent of comfort food for huge audiences but also culture-defining HBO series like “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City” and “Game of Thrones” as well as newer premium fare like “Succession,” “Barry” and “Westworld.”
Plus, there’s “The Big Bang Theory,” “Rick and Morty” and “Doctor Who” and other gems from Turner cable networks.
Also in the opening day programming is “On the Record,” a feature-length documentary focusing on sexual assault accusations against music mogul Russell Simmons. The film was famously dropped by Apple+ after Oprah Winfrey pulled her support for it, even after a successful premiere earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. The filmmakers were reportedly given 20 minutes notice of Winfrey announcing her change of heart.
Give credit to WarnerMedia’s Max for swooping right in and picking up the film, which features several high-powered female record industry executives who have one thing in common: they all say Simmons raped or assaulted them.
HBO Max’s original programming includes Anna Kendrick’s “Love Life” and a talk show featuring Sesame Street’s Elmo.
Movie lovers will glory in landmark films from the Warner Bros. library like the Harry Potter series, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Casablanca, The Lord of the Rings and Citizen Kane.
Let the streaming begin!
