Paramount+ and HBO Max to become one streaming service - Key details and critics’ worries
HBO Max and Paramount+ to merge (photo: Getty Images)
A few days after winning the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance CEO announced the fate of HBO Max. Viewers can expect a new streaming service, according to the Paramount investor briefing.
What the HBO Max and Paramount+ merger will look like
The two media giants will combine into a single streaming service, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison said during a conference call with investors.
According to him, the deal will allow flagship HBO Max series like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Euphoria, The White Lotus, and others to sit alongside Paramount offerings, including Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and The Survivor.
The merger of the two platforms will give the company over 200 million subscribers, allowing it to compete with other market leaders.
Ellison also emphasized his commitment to HBO’s independence. He praised the “fantastic work” of the brand’s CEO, Casey Bloys, and his team.
“Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO. And they built a phenomenal brand,” Ellison said, adding that his favorite HBO show is Game of Thrones.
Management has not yet revealed what the new service will be called or the pricing for its offerings.
Critics’ concerns and deal details
Critics are mostly worried about potential political influence and editorial bias following the merger. They point to the close ties between Ellison’s family and Donald Trump and the possible impact on media independence.
It is known that alongside Warner Bros. and HBO, the Paramount owner will also gain control over the news channels CNN and CBS News.
Recall that on February 27, 2026, Netflix publicly withdrew from the competition for Warner Bros. Discovery, ceding the opportunity to Paramount. The latter offered $111 billion to complete the deal.
Warner Bros. Discovery will also pay Netflix $2.8 billion to terminate the previous agreement, but the buyer will cover this expense.
It is worth noting that film producer, media mogul, and Skydance Media founder David Ellison is the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison. In August 2025, his company merged with Paramount Global, and he became CEO.
