Shortly after rumors of a deal between the 2 media giants broke, Netflix has introduced it’s shopping for Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max for roughly $82.7 billion. If accredited, the deal will happen after Warner Bros. has disentangled itself from each its legacy cable and Discovery belongings as a part of the already-announced de-merger. That is prone to happen within the third quarter of 2026, with this new tie-up happening in some unspecified time in the future after that.
In an announcement, Netflix stated it expects to “preserve” Warner Bros. present operations, in addition to its coverage of theatrical releases for its movies. However the deal could spell the tip for HBO Max as its personal product in the long run, because the assertion additionally says “by including the deep movie and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members may have much more high-quality titles from which to decide on.”
Naturally, the deal will see Netflix turn into one of many largest gamers in world media, combining its world attain with among the most recognizable names in leisure. That features HBO, DC Studios, Cartoon Community, its sport growth studios and TCM, in addition to the chunks of TNT not solid adrift with Discovery.
It is probably the deal is not going to go forward with out a whole lot of objections from different consumers, in addition to the federal government itself. Yesterday, Paramount Skydance stated (through the Hollywood Reporter) any deal between WB and Netflix could be the results of an “unfair” course of. Given the shut ties between Paramount’s new house owners and the administration, it is probably any deal can be topic to scrutiny in addition to the same old questions across the measurement of the mixed operation.
For the reason that announcement was made, Engadget senior reporter Devindra Hardawar has spoken with Hollywood gamers and collated research and statements to reply any burning questions you may need on what this deal means for you. He additionally solutions questions in regards to the chance of regulatory approval, theatrical releases and bodily media. Atone for all that in his piece titled “The Netflix and Warner Bros. deal may be nice for shareholders, however not for anybody else.”
Replace, December 5 2025, 1:45PM ET: This story has been up to date so as to add a paragraph and hyperlink to a brand new article we’ve printed that incorporates deeper evaluation and extra details about the Netflix/Warner Bros. deal and what which may imply for streaming, films, TV and shareholders.
