Warner Bros Discover (WBD) has signed a “Pay-1” deal with A24, giving HBO Max and Cinemax priority streaming rights to new A24 releases like Iron Claw before any other platform. The deal also expands WBD’s licensing for A24’s film catalog, providing access to titles such as Uncut Gems and Everything Everywhere All At Once.
“Included in the pay-1 output agreement are films like Dicks: The Musical, Priscilla, Dream Scenario, The Zone of Interest, Stop Making Sense (2023), The Iron Claw, Love Lies Bleeding, Civil War, and more,” Warner Bros Discovery stated. “Subscribers will have access to over one hundred A24 titles throughout the agreement.”
Traditionally, films debut in theaters, then move to digital purchase/rental before streaming or OTA broadcast. Pay-1 provides streaming services exclusive access to titles for 12-18 months before general licensing and syndication (Pay-2).
Paramount’s Showtime previously held the Pay-1 deal with A24, but it expired in November 2022 (and was extended for another year). WBD’s new deal only applies to A24 films released after the agreement, so titles like Talk to Me and The Inspection will likely remain Pay-1 on Showtime.
The deal will benefit A24 and viewers. HBO Max and Discovery+ have 95.1 million subscribers combined, while Paramount+ has 63 million subscribers. Around the end of 2022, HBO and HBO Max gained access to some of A24’s older films, but with the new deal, they will have over 100 A24 titles.
Just before the A24 deal, WBD was promoting the improved tech and updated UI of the Max streaming app. Upcoming A24 films include Tuesday (2024, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Problemista (2024, featuring Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, and RZA).
