Netflix to purchase Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion

Shortly after rumors of a deal between the two media giants broke, Netflix has announced it is shopping for Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max for roughly $82.7 billion. If authorized, the deal will happen after Warner Bros. has disentangled itself from each its legacy cable and Discovery assets as part of the already-announced de-merger. That is prone to happen within the third quarter of 2026, with this new tie-up happening sooner or later after that.

In an announcement, Netflix mentioned it expects to “keep” Warner Bros. present operations, in addition to its coverage of theatrical releases for its movies. However the deal could spell the tip for HBO Max as its personal product in the long term, because the assertion additionally says “by including the deep movie and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members can have much more high-quality titles from which to decide on.”

Naturally, the deal will see Netflix turn out to be one of many greatest gamers in international media, combining its international attain with among the most recognizable names in leisure. That features HBO, DC Studios, Cartoon Community, its sport growth studios and TCM, in addition to the chunks of TNT not solid adrift with Discovery.

It is doubtless the deal is not going to go forward with out numerous objections from different patrons, in addition to the federal government itself. Yesterday, Paramount Skydance mentioned (through the Hollywood Reporter) any deal between WB and Netflix could be the results of an “unfair” course of. Given the shut ties between Paramount’s new homeowners and the administration, it is doubtless any deal shall be topic to scrutiny in addition to the same old questions across the dimension of the mixed operation.

For the reason that announcement was made, Engadget senior reporter Devindra Hardawar has spoken with Hollywood gamers and collated research and statements to reply any burning questions you might need on what this deal means for you. He additionally solutions questions in regards to the probability of regulatory approval, theatrical releases and bodily media. Make amends for all that in his piece titled “The Netflix and Warner Bros. deal might be great for shareholders, but not for anyone else.”

Replace, December 5 2025, 1:45PM ET: This story has been up to date so as to add a paragraph and hyperlink to a brand new article we’ve printed that comprises deeper evaluation and extra details about the Netflix/Warner Bros. deal and what which may imply for streaming, motion pictures, TV and shareholders.