December 4, 2025, 12:23 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
The trends in the streaming sector over recent years are making it increasingly difficult for consumers: more providers and rising prices. To avoid missing out, consumers have needed more than just one subscription for some time now, and that costs money. The fact that content disappears and either reappears elsewhere or not at all is also frustrating. The idea that a leading provider like Netflix could suddenly become cheaper was previously unthinkable. But that’s exactly what’s emerging now.
Warner Purchase Could Make Netflix Cheaper
Another trend in the entertainment industry involves corporate consolidations. Recently, Disney acquired the traditional studio 20th Century Fox, and Paramount was recently acquired by Skydance. Currently, Warner Discovery, home to Warner Bros. and HBO Max, is up for sale. And this could make Netflix cheaper.
The streaming provider is among the high-profile potential buyers alongside Paramount and Comcast. According to an insider report from Reuters, Netflix has put the option on the table to offer a combo package with HBO Max after a successful acquisition. This could make both the competitor and Netflix cheaper compared to individually purchased subscriptions.
Advantage for Streaming Fans
Customers interested in both platforms would benefit from a bundled offer. Especially since many HBO Max users in the U.S. already have an additional Netflix subscription. They could save money this way. In Germany, HBO Max will launch on January 13, 2026. It’s conceivable that a combined plan could be introduced there as well. However, those who only want to subscribe to one of the services would not benefit from this.
For Netflix, this consideration is not just about customer retention. A cheaper package is primarily intended as an argument to present to regulators, encouraging them to view a potential acquisition favorably. Regulators fear that the Warner sale could limit consumer choices and increase prices.
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How Netflix Could Benefit from Warner
Since many HBO users also have a Netflix account, the latter would not initially gain significant market share from the Warner purchase, as it is already leading in terms of pure subscriber numbers.
However, the streamer lags behind others in established and popular brand libraries. Disney or Paramount, among others, can draw on franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, or Mission: Impossible. With the Warner acquisition, Netflix could not only become cheaper. Well-known series like Harry Potter would then change hands.
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“Avatar” Creator Criticizes
While many fans could receive a lot of new content from the potential acquisition, not only regulators are skeptical about the deal. Directing icon James Cameron (“Avatar,” “Titanic”) considers the potential purchase of Warner by Netflix a “disaster”–especially for cinema, as he said on the “The Town” podcast.
Netflix’s promise to continue bringing Warner films to theaters after the acquisition is seen by Cameron as a weak lure. After all, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has previously spoken dismissively about cinemas.
Netflix has been releasing select films in theaters for a short time for years to qualify for awards like the Oscars. Cameron disapproves of this practice and believes Netflix should rethink its release strategy to win awards.