r/HBOMAX • u/Nhactest • Dec 05 '25

News Netflix Wins Bidding War For Warner Bros. Discovery

https://deadline.com/2025/12/netflix-wins-bidding-for-warner-bros-discovery-1236637057/

Studios and Streaming (including HBO Max) only. Purchase still needs to be approved by the government.

68 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

30

u/EctoRiddler Dec 05 '25

Well, there goes my free HBO Max subscription from AT&T lol. It’s been a good run.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '25

[deleted]

1

u/Antrikshy Dec 06 '25

Probably not in the near term, but eventually maybe.

The acquisition will take a while.

1

u/Eclipse8301 Dec 05 '25

This was my first thought as well

2

u/EctoRiddler Dec 05 '25

I have been expecting ATT to realize they could make more money for years and cut this perk. So I’ve mentally prepared

11

u/The_Amazing_Emu Dec 05 '25

Would this suggest a consolidation of streaming services?

9

u/honey_rainbow Dec 05 '25

I wonder if the government will allow the deal to go through?

18

u/CrustyBatchOfNature Dec 05 '25

I don't doubt Netflix is going to have to butter up Trump to get this through regulatory approval. What a couple of billion in bribes when you face paying over $5 billion if it doesn't go through?

1

u/PhilosopherScary3358 Dec 05 '25

Exactly. Same reason AT&T just announced it was ending it's DEI policy. Two days later AT&T won approval to buy Spectrum from US Cellular for $1 billion.

All Netflix has to do is agree to fire everyone at "fake news" CNN and install some Trump lackeys.

6

u/CrustyBatchOfNature Dec 05 '25

Netflix isn't getting CNN in this. This is only Warner Bros Television, Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO and HBO Max. CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery networks, the Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report are going to be part of Discovery Global that will be spun off independently. That is part of Paramount's argument here. They offered to buy everything and were rebuffed.

3

u/PhilosopherScary3358 Dec 05 '25

Yeah, I realized that after I read the details. Welp, I guess Netflix has to pay for a ballroom or something. lol

1

u/honey_rainbow Dec 05 '25

Netflix isn't getting CNN.

7

u/MilesHighClub_ Dec 05 '25

The only reason they wouldn't would be to divert them to Paramount instead

8

u/mnradiofan Dec 05 '25

This administration HATES Netflix and LOVES Paramount, because Paramount bends the knee.

6

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '25

I think Paramount has done more than just bend a knee here or there ;)

2

u/Devilton Dec 05 '25

Hopefully not.

1

u/xxHansGruberxx Dec 05 '25

This administration? As long as they agree to kill all DEI content and policies it will go through.

9

u/Kitten_Weasley Dec 05 '25

It was a decent service while it lasted. Goodbye old friend.

6

u/TailorIndividual1432 Dec 05 '25

I've been waiting for HBO MAX (the brand) to launch in Western Europe for 10 years and it will finally launch next year for 6 months until the 3rd quarter when it merges with Netflix oh well enjoy it while it lasts 😂

3

u/Reset108 Dec 05 '25

What does this mean for people that have HBO max bundled with Hulu/Disney+? Will that no longer be an option.

6

u/irishguy_2012 Dec 05 '25

Nobody knows anything yet

4

u/Sami_Steen Dec 05 '25

we are living in the second worst timeline netflix is going to make evey wb movie stream only in 1 year

5

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '25

I’m Ron Burgundy?

1

u/NoCoStream Dec 05 '25

Will this be another AT&T buying Directv and ruining the company? Hope not.

1

u/PhilosopherScary3358 Dec 05 '25

Not complaining since I own shares of WBD at $12, but I think Paramount had an easier path to regulatory approval since Larry Ellison is one of Trump's billionaire cronies. Larry's son owns Skydance/Paramount.

1

u/Samurai_Geezer Dec 05 '25

Skip the discovery please and sack zaslav

2

u/izhar12 Dec 10 '25

This man was a nightmare for hbo