In the United States maybe, the problem is they include all of regular HBO in with the numbers, not every HBO subscriber gets MAX ( they can and should), Disney has a big lead globally.
As of 4th quarter, 2021-
HBO/MAX
United States-47 million
Global-73.8 million
Disney+ -
United States-42.9 million
Global-129 million
Silly to say that HBO subs who don't use the included Max app shouldn't be included in the total count. They pay the same $15/mo. Doesn't matter if they're only availing themselves of a certain portion of the overall Max content (i.e. the HBO hub) -- no one who subscribes to any service watches *everything* it offers.
Yes, Disney+ has a big lead in the global subscriber race. But two caveats there. First, HBO Max is still only part-way through their global expansion (and may have to wait a few more years to show up in various key markets like Canada, UK, Germany, etc., where HBO content remains tied up in long-term output deals with other groups like Crave, Sky, etc.). But the service still has additional European markets to launch this year.
Second, Disney+ sells for less around the world than does HBO Max. Here in the US, D+ (ad-free) costs $8 vs. HBO Max at $15, nearly twice as much. (A cheaper ad-supported version of D+ will launch later this year. My guess it will cost $5-6/mo versus HBO Max's $10/mo price.) And in India, where the service is called Disney+ Hotstar, it sells for super-cheap. Plans start at US $0.69 per month (with ads, 720p, 1 mobile device) and top out at $19.63 per
year (ad-free, 4K, 4 devices including TVs). Meanwhile, Warner has yet to launch a streaming product in the huge Indian market.
So comparing the number of global D+ vs. Max subs is a little like comparing global sales of, IDK, Hyundai vs. BMW.
whatsondisneyplus.com
