HBO Max Will Offer Live News and Sports—Eventually

WarnerMedia is looking to differentiate HBO Max, its upcoming over the top service.

AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson told investors Wednesday the streaming service will offer live news and sports programming, though they might not be offered right out of the gate. (WarnerMedia is an AT&T holding.)

“You should assume that ultimately HBO Max will have live elements: Unique live sports and premium sports,” Stephenson said. “Those are going to be really, really important elements for HBO Max. The same with news.”

HBO Max is set to launch next Spring and will include content from both HBO and other Warner Bros. shows, including Friends. It’s the latest in a series of streaming services as entertainment companies look to connect directly with consumers. Disney, Apple and Comcast are also working on offerings, each of which will require a separate subscription. All offer original programming, but few offer live events, like sports or news.

Stephenson didn’t offer specifics on the live programming the network would offer, but WarnerMedia has existing relationships with Major League Baseball and the NBA that could work into the plans. AT&T also owns CNN.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to take advantage of the unique content deals that we have within WarnerMedia,” he said.

The company will offer more details about HBO Max on Oct. 29, it said.