Key Insights
- Acquisition Impact: Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. could lead to changes in HBO Max pricing.
- Ownership Shift: Warner Bros. Discovery currently owns HBO and HBO Max, but Netflix will take over after the acquisition.
- Price Stability: As of now, HBO Max subscription prices remain unchanged at $10.99 per month with ads.
- Service Continuity: Netflix has confirmed that HBO Max will continue to operate post-acquisition.
Acquisitions and mergers have become the norm in the entertainment industry in recent years. After Skydance Media acquired Paramount earlier this year, Netflix announced it reached a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns HBO and HBO Max, in December 2025. So, does this mean HBO Max subscribers should expect an increase in prices soon?
Below, Hollywood Life unpacks how the Warner Bros.-Netflix deal could impact HBO Max subscribers.
Did Netflix Buy Warner Bros?
Yes, Netflix announced its deal with Warner Bros. to acquire the latter in a December 5, 2025, news release. Netflix’s Co-CEO, Greg Peters, said the Warner Bros. purchase “will improve [Netflix’s] offering and accelerate our business for decades to come.”
“Warner Bros. has helped define entertainment for more than a century and continues to do so with phenomenal creative executives and production capabilities,” Peters added. “With our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they create—giving our members more options, attracting more fans to our best-in-class streaming service, strengthening the entire entertainment industry and creating more value for shareholders.”
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos noted, “Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”
Who Owns HBO & HBO Max?
Warner Bros. Discovery currently owns HBO and HBO Max. After Netflix officially acquires Warner Bros., it will own HBO and HBO Max.
Will My HBO Subscription Go Up in Price Now?
It’s still unclear how the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal could affect HBO’s subscription prices. As of now, HBO Max is still the same price, starting at $10.99 per month with ads.
Is HBO Max Going Away?
No, Netflix has not announced plans to remove HBO Max. Instead, the streaming giant said in its news release, “By adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose.”
