Paramount Skydance to merge HBO Max, Paramount+, and Discovery+ into single streaming service

Paramount Skydance has confirmed that HBO Max, Paramount+, and Discovery+ will eventually combine into a single streaming platform, resolving weeks of speculation about the future structure of its streaming portfolio following the completion of a transformative merger.

The Deal and Timeline#

The newly created Skydance, formed through a $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, made the announcement on the same day it finalized the transaction. Though the company pledged that all of its direct-to-consumer streaming services would "unify into a single service over time," no specific launch date was provided for the consolidated platform. This consolidation will bring together HBO Max's premium programming, Paramount+'s original series, and Discovery+ content—which the latter platform launched in 2021 after Discovery Inc. merged with WarnerMedia to create WBD in 2022.

What Content Gets Combined#

The merger creates an opportunity to house a diverse slate of programming under one umbrella. Premium HBO dramas like House of the Dragon and The Wire would share the platform with Paramount+ series such as Tulsa King and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, alongside Discovery+ offerings like various 90 Day Fiancé spinoffs and Fixer Upper: Welcome Home.

Strategic Direction Ahead#

Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which comes after Netflix announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery last year before ultimately canceling in February. Casey Bloys, HBO Max's content chief and the expected leader of Skydance's combined streaming operations, hinted at the strategic direction during a recent industry event, noting that bundling models similar to the HBO Max-Disney offering "would make a lot of sense."