Game-Changing Deal: Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. and HBO

Hollywood was hit with major news as Netflix revealed plans to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, a move that could bring one of the world’s biggest streaming platforms together with one of the most famous studios in film and television history.

The deal, priced at around $72 billion plus debt, would mark one of the most dramatic shifts the industry has seen in years.

Netflix confirmed the agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery early Friday, surprising many in the business who expected a longer fight between bidders.

Several companies, including Paramount and Comcast, had reportedly been trying to secure their own deals. Even with Netflix ahead, those competitors may still try to get involved.

The purchase, however, is not immediate. Warner Bros. Discovery has already said it plans to break into two separate publicly traded companies in 2026. Netflix intends to buy the segment that will include Warner Bros., HBO, and the main entertainment assets once that split becomes official. The other half, called Discovery Global, will hold cable channels such as CNN. The company expects the separation to be completed in the summer of 2026.

If regulators approve the deal, Netflix would gain control of Warner Bros.’ studios and streaming platforms, including HBO Max, along with a massive library of movies and shows. The company says it plans to keep Warner Bros.’ current operations and theatrical releases in place.

Netflix also believes the combination will help reduce costs, estimating savings of up to a few billion dollars within a few years. The expanded studio space would allow the streamer to increase production in the United States while giving subscribers a larger collection of content.

Even with the announcement, the future is not fully settled. Government agencies in the United States and other countries will examine the deal closely, and the process could take significant time. For now, the news has already reshaped expectations across Hollywood and set the stage for another wave of industry changes.

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