Higher prices, simpler streaming expected if HBO Max folds into Paramount+

"After receiving unsolicited acquisition offers, WBD recently declared itself open to "strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value." WBD drew new attention by being open to selling its streaming business (WBD is also still open to moving forward with previously shared plans to split into a cable company and a streaming and movie studios company next year). Naturally, mergers and acquisitions talk has heated up since then, with Paramount as one of the most eager suitors."

"Under Ellison's plan, Warner Bros.' HBO Max streaming service would merge into the existing Paramount+ platform, one of the people said. He believes combining the offerings will allow more people to see the work of film and TV show creators. The libraries of the two companies will make Paramount+ more compelling for subscribers. The purported strategy would likely end the ability to subscribe to HBO Max in favor of the opportunity to pay for a beefier version of Paramount+."

Warner Bros. Discovery received unsolicited acquisition offers and declared itself open to strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The company is open to selling its streaming business while still considering a planned split next year into a cable company and a streaming and movie studios company. Paramount is an eager suitor, and under David Ellison's plan HBO Max would be merged into Paramount+, combining libraries to create a more compelling platform. That consolidation would likely end standalone HBO Max subscriptions and shift users toward a larger Paramount+ offering, with potential price increases and reduced consumer choice amid streaming fragmentation.

Read at Ars Technica