In October, Warner Media revealed it’d acquired the exclusive US rights to stream Ghibli’s films to its upcoming service, HBO Max. Needless to say, this was quite the feather in HBO’s cap. Due to a distribution partnership with Disney, many assumed its Disney+ platform would be the most likely candidate to stream the movies if they ever became available. Instead HBO Max came out the surprise winner. So what impact is this likely to have on HBO Max, which is set to debut next spring? Not much, but it may impact what appeal it’ll have for kids. Given the comparatively weighty library of Disney+, any blow to its kid-friendly lineup will put it at a disadvantage. As it is, HBO has a few other big names to buoy its appeal to younger kids: Sesame Street and Looney Tunes come to mind. But Studio Ghibli’s films would have been a major attraction for both older kids and adults. It’s a kick to HBO Max’s tentpole — not a huge one, maybe, but a kick nonetheless. I’m thrilled to finally be adding Spirited Away to my digital collection — and maybe secretly a little glad I wouldn’t have to pay for HBO Max (yet another subscription) just for the privilege of not having to borrow from my little brother’s extensive DVD collection. I wonder how many others might feel the same way?
