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Should AT&T listen to activist investor or stay the course?

HBO Max has become the bellwether that investors are watching to see whether AT&T can execute its entertainment vision.

“Out of all their financials, it’s just a small part of AT&T,” said Brett Sappington, senior research director for entertainment at Addison-based market research company Parks Associates. “It seems to be the tail wagging the rest of the AT&T dog at the moment.”

Elliott has criticized the slow rollout of the streaming service. It also noted how AT&T has shifted from a three-tiered offering focused on Warner Bros. to a single one centered around HBO.
AT&T will face other hurdles, Sappington said. The subscription-based HBO Max will be pricier than competitors. To keep customers from canceling, AT&T will have to have other breakouts that follow in the footsteps of The Sopranos and Game of Thrones, along with a steady stream of popular TV shows and movies.

From the article "Should AT&T listen to activist investor or stay the course?" by Melissa Repko.

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