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Warhammer+ Could Be Better Than Expected

The new streaming platform has shows, books, magazines, and more

By Stefanie Fogel Stefanie Fogel Writer, Editor, Commerce Producer University of Central Florida Stefanie Fogel has written about consumer technology since 2009. Her work has appeared on Variety, Engadget, Polygon, and many other online publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 17, 2021 04:21PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

Warhammer+ includes animated shows, game tutorials, and more for $5.99/month.Niche streaming services have grown significantly faster than their larger, more generalized competitors in the past two years, according to a recent report.A 2020 study found that 55% of US households had more than one subscription to either Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. Ollie Millington / Getty Images Games Workshop, the company behind the popular tabletop miniature wargaming franchise Warhammer, is creating its own streaming content platform called Warhammer+. And it's not as bad an idea as you think. When Warhammer+ launches on August 25, it will include two new animated series, along with advanced tutorials on how to paint mini figurines, gaming shows, and a Warhammer lore show. It also offers a back catalog of digital tie-in novels and White Dwarf magazine issues, full access to official Warhammer apps, and more. "Warhammer+ is obviously going after a very niche audience, which can be a tough thing to do in streaming," Stephen Lovely, editor-in-chief of CordCutting.com, told Lifewire via email. "It's priced on the lower end at $5.99 per month, which is pretty typical for a niche service. Shudder, for example, is an all-horror service at a similar price point. What makes Warhammer+ interesting to me is that it's not even targeting something as broad as a genre—it's only about one specific game."

Niche Streaming Services Are Growing

It's easy to think Warhammer+ is doomed from the start. It's targeting a very small portion of the population that both watches online content and enjoys tabletop gaming, and people are spoiled for choice when it comes to streaming platforms these days. But that hyper focus might be the key to its success. Streaming video on demand (SVOD) services that concentrate on one particular audience have grown significantly faster than their larger, more generalized competitors in the past two years, according to a recent report from subscription analytics company Antenna. "In fact, when we look at year-over-year subscriber growth across the 17 services that were available in mid-2020, specialty services dominate," it said. Niche platforms Sundance Now and Paramount+ grew by 83% and 81% year-over-year, respectively, while subscriber growth for Netflix and Hulu were only in the single digits. Antenna There's also some evidence to suggest that people are more willing to sign up for multiple streaming services at once. A 2020 study from Leichtman Research Group found that, out of a sample of 1,990 US households, 55% had more than one subscription to either Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. About 43% had multiple accounts in 2018, while only 20% had them in 2015. Out of a dozen newer services that launched in the last few years, such as HBO Max, BET+, and Disney+, Leichtman Research Group found that 82% of all households were subbed to at least one, with 49% having subs to three or more.

Does Warhammer+ Stand a Chance

Of course, the long-term success of any streaming platform hinges on its ability to churn out content subscribers want to watch. The meager handful of animated shows and painting tutorials offered by Warhammer+ right now might not be enough to satisfy a viewing audience that's used to bingeing new content the second it's out. "Niche streaming services can definitely thrive amongst their bigger competitors, provided they have the content—ongoing, new, and updated content—to survive," Justin Rule, owner of the website building and design company Sparrow Websites, told Lifewire via email. "Unfortunately, the Warhammer+ streaming service will not last, using the amount of content as a success or failure mark." Warhammer+ is obviously going after a very niche audience, which can be a tough thing to do in streaming. "I think there's a chance it works well," Lovely said. "The audience is more niche than with most small-time services, but it's also a more dedicated kind of audience. It's easy to think 'niche streaming service' and compare this to Shudder or (the now-defunct) Seeso, but given the tutorials and tips specific to gaming, things like premium subscriptions to gaming sites are arguably better comparisons for this, even if they're not necessarily streaming-focused. "In other words, there may not be a market for 'niche streaming services' per se, but there's a huge market for gaming content in streaming and beyond. The price might seem a little steep here, but nobody has ever accused Warhammer of being a budget-friendly hobby!" Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire TikTok vs. YouTube: Which One Is Right for You? HBO vs. HBO Max: What's The Difference? Is YouTube TV Worth It? 5 Reasons to Sign Up Hulu vs. Sling: Which Live TV Service is Best? How to Watch NFL Games on Firestick: Free or Paid (and All Legal) The 10 Best Ways to Watch Movies With Friends Online How to Start Streaming Movies & TV How to Use Amazon Prime Video Crunchyroll: What It Is and How to Watch Anime on It The 8 Best TV Streaming Services in 2022 How to Watch Internet TV With Nintendo Wii and Wii U Cord Cutting Guide: The Best Cable TV Alternatives to Save Money in 2022 How to Get TV Reception Without Cable or an Antenna Twitch: Everything You Need to Know What Is Apple One? What Is on Netflix? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies