Kevin Reilly unveils more details about WarnerMedia streaming service

WarnerMedia will first launch a beta of its new streaming service with content from its library in the fourth quarter, followed by the introduction of original content on the platform in 2020, an executive said on Monday.

“It is our belief over time it will become one of the sought-after entertainment platforms in the world,” said Kevin Reilly, chief creative officer of Turner Entertainment and president of TBS and TNT at the Television Critics Assn.’s winter press tour in Pasadena.

Reilly said there is no piece in the WarnerMedia portfolio (a library that has more than 42,000 hours of content) that will not be considered for the yet-to-be-named service.

“I think you can expect the crown jewels of Warner will ultimately end up on the new service,” Reilly said.

If WarnerMedia decides to no longer allow Netflix to stream “Friends,” which was produced by Warner Bros. Television, that could push the show’s fans to try out the new service.

Netflix has a deal to stream “Friends” through 2019. Reilly said he would like to add “Friends” to WarnerMedia’s streaming service.

The new service will start rolling out original content in 2020, and there are plans to eventually expand the service internationally, Reilly said. HBO subscribers will still have a standalone service.

Reilly declined to reveal details on the pricing of WarnerMedia’s new streaming service.

WarnerMedia is owned by AT&T, following the telecom company’s $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner assets, including the Warner Bros. film and television studio in Burbank; HBO; and the Turner networks, TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies last year.

WarnerMedia’s streaming service will include content for kids and families, teens and adults, which will be broader than Disney’s streaming service, Reilly said.

“We’re building a much broader service,” Reilly said, later adding, “We’re not looking to battle with Disney.”

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