Will Netflix and HBO Max Be Combined?
As Netflix strikes an $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. — including its film and TV studios, plus HBO Max and HBO — many subscribers are wondering what that might ultimately mean for their streaming services.
Consumers currently paying for both Netflix and HBO Max might be wondering if the two might combine to create one giant streamer full of content from both services. And if that happens, will HBO Max go away as a standalone streaming service?
At least for now, the answer appears to be “no.” As Variety reported when the deal was announced, “In the near term, Netflix signaled it would keep HBO Max as its own service, while it also touted the addition of HBO and HBO Max content to its lineup.”
Until the acquisition is completed — which could take more than a year, depending on legal and regulatory challenges — consumers will continue to pay one subscription fee to Netflix (betwen $7.99 and $24.99 per month) and a separate fee to HBO Max ($10.99-$22.99 per month).
What HBO Shows are on Netflix?
Netflix had already added numerous shows from HBO and HBO Max, including “Ballers,” “Insecure,” “Six Feet Under,” “Sex and the City” and “True Blood.”
Netflix said in its announcment of the deal, “By adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose. This also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content.”
But until the deal is closed sometime next year, series such as “Friends” that are available only on HBO Max won’t immediately be available on Netflix.
The Warner Bros. deal means that many more shows from HBO and HBO Max will end up streaming on Netflix at some point, so why not combine the two services and charge one (undoubtedly higher) price?
For now, Netflix is proceeding with business as usual — keeping the two streaming services separate, but continuing to add HBO Max programming to the Netflix app.
But in the long term, will HBO wind up as a tile on Netflix? Will the HBO Max service ultimately be sunsetted, and will there be a gradual merging of the two (much like Disney slowly rolling Hulu into Disney+)? That would seem to be a likely ultimate goal, as Netflix said it ultimately see $2 billion to $3 billion in cost savings by the third year after the WB deal closes. Part of those savings would likely come from a merged streaming service. Should Netflix take in HBO Max, that would likely come at a price increase for consumers.
As a corporation, Netflix will now own some of the most profitable and most popular franchises in entertainment, from “Game of Thrones” to the Harry Potter series to “The Sopranos,” the DC Universe, “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane.” But that doesn’t mean Warner Bros.’ entire vast library will be available to steam on Netflix.
“Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a statement.
For now, consumers will have to keep a close eye on their subscriptions to figure out just what he meant by “together.”
Consumers currently paying for both Netflix and HBO Max might be wondering if the two might combine to create one giant streamer full of content from both services. And if that happens, will HBO Max go away as a standalone streaming service?
At least for now, the answer appears to be “no.” As Variety reported when the deal was announced, “In the near term, Netflix signaled it would keep HBO Max as its own service, while it also touted the addition of HBO and HBO Max content to its lineup.”
Until the acquisition is completed — which could take more than a year, depending on legal and regulatory challenges — consumers will continue to pay one subscription fee to Netflix (betwen $7.99 and $24.99 per month) and a separate fee to HBO Max ($10.99-$22.99 per month).
What HBO Shows are on Netflix?
Netflix had already added numerous shows from HBO and HBO Max, including “Ballers,” “Insecure,” “Six Feet Under,” “Sex and the City” and “True Blood.”
Netflix said in its announcment of the deal, “By adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose. This also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content.”
But until the deal is closed sometime next year, series such as “Friends” that are available only on HBO Max won’t immediately be available on Netflix.
The Warner Bros. deal means that many more shows from HBO and HBO Max will end up streaming on Netflix at some point, so why not combine the two services and charge one (undoubtedly higher) price?
For now, Netflix is proceeding with business as usual — keeping the two streaming services separate, but continuing to add HBO Max programming to the Netflix app.
But in the long term, will HBO wind up as a tile on Netflix? Will the HBO Max service ultimately be sunsetted, and will there be a gradual merging of the two (much like Disney slowly rolling Hulu into Disney+)? That would seem to be a likely ultimate goal, as Netflix said it ultimately see $2 billion to $3 billion in cost savings by the third year after the WB deal closes. Part of those savings would likely come from a merged streaming service. Should Netflix take in HBO Max, that would likely come at a price increase for consumers.
As a corporation, Netflix will now own some of the most profitable and most popular franchises in entertainment, from “Game of Thrones” to the Harry Potter series to “The Sopranos,” the DC Universe, “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane.” But that doesn’t mean Warner Bros.’ entire vast library will be available to steam on Netflix.
“Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a statement.
For now, consumers will have to keep a close eye on their subscriptions to figure out just what he meant by “together.”