Skydance Plans to Unify HBO Max and Paramount+ Into a Single Streaming

With the formation of the new Skydance, resulting from the merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount, one of the main questions about the future of the two companies' streaming platforms is beginning to be answered: HBO Max and Paramount+.

They should, in the future, be combined into a single service, according to statements by CEO David Ellison reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The change, however, will be gradual.

“It will take a period of time to do that,” Ellison said when commenting on the technological integration of the two platforms. According to the executive, HBO Max and Paramount+ should continue to operate separately in the near future, while the company works to unify the services. He also stated that advances in technology and artificial intelligence could accelerate this process and that a “bundle” with both services should be available in a relatively short time. Ellison, however, did not detail what options will be offered.

The executive also highlighted that combining the subscriptions of the two services will allow Skydance to have a larger base to compete with companies like Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.

Despite the future integration of the platforms, the HBO brand will continue to operate independently: "Casey [Bloys] and his team do absolutely a remarkable job at HBO. We do plan for that to be able to operate with independence, so that HBO can, candidly, do what it does incredibly well. Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO. They built a phenomenal brand. They are a leader in the space, and we just want them to continue doing more of it" Ellison revealed.

What changes with the merger between Warner and Paramount?

• Paramount to Accumulate an Extra $7.5 Billion In Debt for Warner's Purchase
• Netflix and Paramount End Agreement with Skydance for Animated Films
• Mark Ruffalo Slams Warner-Paramount Merger

Skydance was officially formed this Tuesday (6), after the completion of the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. In the memorandum, Ellison and Kreiz stated that the new company intends to combine the resources, brands and talents of the two groups to create a media and entertainment company with greater scale and ability to compete in the market.

The executives also highlighted that the goal is not only to expand the number of productions, brands, or intellectual properties, but to integrate the structures of the two companies. The message, titled "Day 1," marks the start of Skydance's operations after the completion of the agreement.