Warner Bros. Discovery soars with record box office and HBO Max expansion
Warner Bros. Discovery has reported strong growth across its film and streaming divisions. The company's recent film slate achieved major box office success, while its streaming platform HBO Max expanded into new markets. Management now projects subscriber numbers to climb sharply by the end of 2026.
The Motion Picture Group delivered seven straight films opening above $40 million each. Nine of these titles debuted at number one, spending a combined 16 weeks at the top of the global box office. Newly released original films also crossed $160 million in worldwide ticket sales within just two weeks.
On the awards front, the studio's films secured nine Golden Globes, including Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) and a special honour for box office performance. Meanwhile, HBO's TV series drew an average of 27 million viewers per episode, with some shows seeing audience jumps of 30% to 50%.
The company's cable networks dominated U.S. prime time, accounting for 30% of total viewing. Seventeen of last year's top 25 new cable series came from its portfolio. Streaming growth was equally impressive, with HBO Max now available in over 100 countries, including recent launches in Germany and Italy. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics further boosted streaming figures, more than tripling audience numbers.
Financially, the firm implemented eight price adjustments, driving a 63% increase in value. Streaming subscriptions are set to exceed 140 million by the end of Q1 and could surpass 150 million by December.
Warner Bros. Discovery's film and TV divisions have shown clear momentum in early 2026. With rising box office returns, expanding global reach, and climbing subscriber counts, the company's media strategy appears to be gaining traction. Further growth is expected as new markets and content continue to roll out.
