Netflix to purchase Warner Bros. Studios, HBO, and HBO Max in a major deal

Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery have reached an agreement that will result in Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. film and television studios, along with HBO and HBO Max, in a transaction valued at roughly $82.7 billion. The deal is scheduled to be finalized in the third quarter of 2026, following the previously planned division of Warner Bros. Discovery into two independent publicly traded companies.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated that merging the extensive Warner Bros. catalog from iconic titles such as Casablanca and Citizen Kane to global hits like Harry Potter and Friends with Netflixs own lineup, including Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, will enhance the companys ability to deliver premium entertainment worldwide and shape the future of storytelling.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav emphasized that uniting the two entertainment giants will allow even broader access to the stories that have defined generations. He highlighted Warner Bros. century-long impact on global culture and expressed confidence that the collaboration with Netflix will continue to ensure lasting audience engagement.

Per Netflixs announcement, existing Warner Bros. operations will remain intact, while HBO and HBO Max content libraries will be fully integrated into Netflixs service. No definitive timeline has been given regarding any potential discontinuation of the HBO Max streaming platform.

Author: Benjamin Carter