WarnerMedia buys up Discovery: Will Discovery+ merge with HBO Max?
We are now closer than ever to see Chip and Joanna Gaines join the Justice League, as AT&T has announced that Discovery & WarnerMedia are officially merging to become one of the largest media businesses in existence. This, of course, is the result of AT&T opting to spin off WarnerMedia, which owns a variety of media properties such as TNT, CNN, TBS, Warner Bros. film & TV, and HBO. So what exactly does all of this mean?
Basically, it means that that company will be merging with Discovery, which also owns a variety of popular media outlets such as Food Network, the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and TLC not the band. In exchange, AT&T will be receiving upwards of $43 billion dollars in cash, as well as debt securities and WarnerMedia’s retention of debt.
This new deal by AT&T comes to much a surprise for many, as it essentially undoes one of the largest media acquisitions in history. Of course, we’re referring to the 2016 purchase of Time Warner, now WarnerMedia for $109 billion. Combining both WarnerMedia & Discovery might just make the streaming wars a bit more interesting, giving an edge to the possible new collaboration to compete with Netflix and Disney+.
AT&T knows what’s up
In a press release by AT&T, CEO John Stankey said the following regarding the move: “This agreement unites two entertainment leaders with complementary content strengths and positions the new company to be one of the leading global direct-to-consumer streaming platforms.”
He continued: “It will support the fantastic growth and international launch of HBO Max with Discovery’s global footprint and create efficiencies which can be re-invested in producing more great content to give consumers what they want.”
Stankey concluded with the following statement regarding AT&T’s new focus: “AT&T shareholders, this is an opportunity to unlock value and be one of the best capitalized broadband companies, focused on investing in 5G and fiber to meet substantial, long-term demand for connectivity.” The deal, which is expected to close in mid-2022, will likely combine the streaming services of HBO Max and Discovery+. Impressive.
What is HBO Max?
Having first launched on May 27th, 2020, HBO Max joined a slate of diverse streaming services, squaring off against strong opponents such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus. A property of WarnerMedia Entertainment, HBO Max features a stacked library of content that includes the likes of Game of Thrones, Friends, Westworld, The OC, His Dark Materials, Big Little Lies, Chernobyl, True Detective, and South Park.
By landing a subscription to HBO Max you’ll be invited to experience a wide range of content including HBO premium programming, third-party titles, WarnerMedia’s impressive library, as well as original content made specifically for the trending streaming service, such as the highly recommended The Flight Attendant.
If you already have access to HBO through either a cable or satellite provider, then you should have access to HBO Max and all of its amazing content. Certain providers currently offering this streaming service are the following: Xfinity, Wow!, Verizon Fios, Optimum, RCN, Spectrum, Suddenlink, Altice One, Cox, DirectTV, AT&T U-verse, Atlantic Broadband, and Apple TV Channels.
Discovery Plus
Discovery+ launched in the U.S. on January 4th, 2021, and is home to an extensive library of content from fourteen networks, including Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, HGTV, ID, A&E, History, Lifetime, OWN, Travel, Science Network, The Dodo, and much, much more.
With an endless catalog of previously televised series & seasons, Discovery+ is also home to a variety of new content made specifically for the streaming service, including a relaunch of the popular TLC home makeover series Fixer Upper.
