October 8, 2026, 7:07 am | Read time: 3 minutes
HBO Max and Paramount+ are set to merge into a single streaming service. This is based on the recently completed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount for approximately $110 billion. Under the new company Skydance, not only are both streaming services included, but also the studios behind film series such as “Harry Potter,” “Batman,” and “Mission: Impossible.”
HBO Max and Paramount+ to Become One Service
The plans for a merger have been in the works for some time. Company CEO David Ellison announced back in March 2026 that he intended to combine both services. According to him, HBO Max and Paramount+ together have more than 200 million subscriptions. Skydance aims to compete more aggressively with major rivals such as Netflix, Disney, and Amazon.
As reported by the “Hollywood Reporter,” there have recently been differing statements about the future of the two platforms. HBO chief Casey Bloys recently mentioned continuing HBO Max and Paramount+ as standalone services and offering them together in a package. The future streaming chief of the company cited existing U.S. offerings with HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu as examples.
Ellison also wants to offer both services as a package before the actual merger. He has not yet provided details on this.
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Joint Package Is Just the Beginning
In the long term, separate streaming services are not the goal. Ellison stated at a press conference on October 6, 2026, that HBO Max and Paramount+ will eventually merge into a single offering. A joint subscription package would thus only be an interim solution.
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It remains unclear what exactly this new streaming service will look like. In March, Ellison only assured HBO that the provider would remain content-independent.
What the Plans Could Mean for Germany
For customers in Germany, series and films from both platforms could soon be available in a joint offering. This includes HBO titles like “House of the Dragon” and “The Last of Us,” as well as Paramount brands like “Star Trek,” “Yellowstone,” and “Mission: Impossible.” New combo rates are also possible. However, Skydance has not yet announced prices or a specific timeline for Germany.
In the short term, little is likely to change for subscribers in Germany. They probably won’t need to adjust their existing HBO Max or Paramount+ subscriptions. Before both platforms can actually be merged, Skydance must first integrate the technology behind the two streaming services.