Netflix Paramount has won the race to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery and a new report says they plan to merge HBO into Paramount+. News broke yesterday that Paramount was the new preferred bid for WB/D after increasing their offer previously dismissed in favour of Netflix. As reported by several news outlets and trades, Netflix has rejected the chance to match that bid, leaving Paramount as the last firm standing.
It’s hardly been a clean fight and business rarely is. However, this time there’s also been a lot of politics involved in the process. Yet, Paramount are the ones left standing to claim the prize.
A new reports by Bloomberg suggests that Paramount will maintain all the studio heads. Therefore, there’s no DCU cancellation happening (Netflix were the same), or so it seems. Marketing and distribution teams are expected to merge though.
RELATED: Paramount Makes Aggressive Play For WB/D – Netflix CEO Says It Was Expected But Confident In Deal
They do report, as expected, that HBO’s streaming service will be merged with Paramount + to increase the value of that service. In all fairness, Paramount probably finds themselves the least attractive option of the big streaming studios at this point. However, once HBO and Max become part of that service?
The Game of Thrones franchise spin-off’s, the new Harry Potter TV series will all be on Paramount+ eventually, (plus much more). It’s not I think, going to help sales of HBO in the U.K though, which I believe launches this March. Be as well just subbing to Paramount + and waiting. As always though, this process could take time to be out into effect and will be subject to oversight. It’s not thought this will present any issues though, so this time it really does look like the saga is over.
As fans/consumers, some of us will be happy and some will have preferred Netflix to win. We don’t get a say so though, so all we can do is hope Paramount maintain the quality and output of a previously rival studio.
What’s next? Does Apple or Amazon buy Disney to rival this new super studio? Or does Netflix buy, or get gobbled up by a rival? It seems the age of the super studios is upon us and those without enough content may struggle to compete. Consumers are about done subscribing to 5 different streamers.
Let us know what you think as Paramount wins the race for Warner Bros. Discovery? What do you think of HBO eventually becoming part of Paramount+?
