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Skydance CEO: HBO Max & Paramount+ Will Merge
7 Oct
Summary
- HBO Max and Paramount+ are expected to merge into a single service.
- A "short-term" phase will see services bundled before full integration.
- AI technology is accelerating the process of combining streaming platforms.
Skydance Chairman and CEO David Ellison has indicated that HBO Max and Paramount+ are slated to combine into a singular streaming service. This integration is anticipated to occur after an initial period where the services might be bundled together. Ellison stated that while the immediate term will focus on separate operations with potential bundling, the long-term plan involves a full merger.
The process of unifying streaming services is being expedited by advancements in AI technology and other innovations, which have already allowed for the integration of tech stacks for Paramount+, BET+, and Pluto TV without subscriber notice. Ellison mentioned that the centralization of tech stacks post-merger is a priority and is being executed swiftly, building on the rapid completion of similar projects.
This projection contrasts with recent comments from HBO and HBO Max content head Casey Bloys, who had suggested a focus on bundling due to distinct subscriber bases. Skydance's strategy also diverges from past industry challenges, such as Disney's gradual migration of Hulu content to Disney+ and WarnerMedia's earlier reversal on merging Discovery+ with HBO Max due to viewer confusion.
