Paramount+ and HBO Max: Skydance is reportedly planning a joint streaming service

HBO Max and Paramount+ could merge into a single streaming service in the long term. According to a report by Deadline magazine, the newly formed media conglomerate Skydance, led by David Ellison, is planning a merger of the two streaming platforms.

With the completion of Paramount's $110 billion acquisition, one of the world's largest media conglomerates has been created. In the future, numerous well-known brands will be bundled under the Skydance name. These include Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., the DC Universe, HBO, Showtime, CNN, CBS News, as well as channels such as MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. HBO Max and Paramount+ are also part of this.

HBO Max and Paramount+ Will Remain Separate for Now

David Ellison first clarified that HBO Max and Paramount+ will continue to operate as separate platforms for the time being. In the long term, however, the goal is to more closely integrate the two companies – and apparently their streaming services as well. This process will take time, though. During the transition phase, bundled subscriptions or other joint offerings could be introduced.

This also leaves open the question of whether customers can expect a completely new platform at some point, or whether HBO Max and Paramount+ will simply be brought together under a shared interface, similar to what happened with Disney+ and Hulu. Skydance apparently wants to make much faster progress on the technical infrastructure. Ellison explained that the various systems are to be centralized as quickly as possible once the acquisition is complete. The integration of the technology behind Paramount+, BET+, and Pluto TV has already been successfully completed without viewers even noticing.

Developments in the field of artificial intelligence, in particular, have accelerated certain processes. However, Ellison left open whether these advances can also be applied to the significantly more complicated merger of two major streaming platforms. According to sources close to the company, the technical consolidation could be completed within about a year. For users, this is unlikely to change much at first.

Disney+ as a Model

A look at other media conglomerates shows that merging two streaming services is anything but easy. Disney, too, has been working for some time to integrate Hulu's content more closely into Disney+. The full merger was implemented in stages.

Warner Bros. Discovery, for its part, has had its own experiences with such plans. Following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery in 2022, Discovery+ was originally supposed to be fully absorbed into HBO Max. This ultimately resulted in the platform Max. However, due to strong demand for the more affordable and profitable Discovery+, this original plan was scrapped. Later, Warner Bros. Discovery eventually reverted to the name HBO Max.

A Super App for Skydance as a Long-Term Goal?

Skydance, too, is likely to proceed with caution for now. HBO Max and Paramount+ together have more than 200 million subscribers worldwide. A joint platform could bundle the extensive selection of movies and series under one roof and make it easier for customers to access content from both providers.

At the same time, such a move would raise numerous questions. How much would the new subscription cost? Would users have to create a completely new account, or would their existing one remain active? And would HBO, Paramount, and the numerous other brands remain clearly separate from one another? We're excited to see how this plays out and will, of course, keep you updated on all developments!