Netflix announced the purchase of WB today, which means it will own HBO Max once the deal closes (regulators might give them trouble).

so what does this mean for us? Are we more likely to lose HBO from the Disney bundle (and our credit), or more likely to have Netflix strike a deal with Amex? Fear this means HBO won’t be on our credit anymore when the Platinum (and Blue) update next.

Would be nice to get a Netflix credit though.

Variety

It’s official: Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced an agreement Friday under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.

The deal has a total enterprise value (including debt) of approximately $82.7 billion, with an equity value of $72 billion, the companies said. The announcement of Netflix’s deal to buy the Warner Bros. streaming and studios business came after a weeks-long bidding war that pitted the streaming giant against David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance and Comcast. News broke Thursday evening that Netflix had entered into exclusive negotiations with WBD on a deal for Warner Bros. and HBO Max.

Netflix said it expects “to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and build on its strengths,” including theatrical releases for films. Currently, Warner Bros. has set deals to release its film in cinemas through 2029. In the near term, Netflix signaled it would keep HBO Max as a discrete service, while it also touted the addition of HBO and HBO Max content to its lineup.

“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,” the company said. “This also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content.”

The cash and stock transaction is valued at $27.75 per share of WBD. The deal is expected to close in the next 12-18 months, the companies said, after the previously announced separation of WBD’s TV networks division, Discovery Global, into a new publicly traded company, which is now expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, each WBD shareholder will receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in shares of Netflix common stock for each share of WBD common stock outstanding at the closing of the transaction.

The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal is contingent on the completion of the spin-off of Discovery Global as well as regulatory approvals, the approval of the deal by WBD shareholders and other “customary closing conditions.”

According to the companies, “This acquisition brings together two pioneering entertainment businesses, combining Netflix’s innovation, global reach and best-in-class streaming service with Warner Bros.’ century-long legacy of world-class storytelling. Beloved franchises, shows and movies such as ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and the DC Universe will join Netflix’s extensive portfolio including ‘Wednesday,’ ‘Money Heist,’ ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘Adolescence’ and ‘Extraction,’ creating an extraordinary entertainment offering for audiences worldwide.”

The deal announcement did not say what role, if any, David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, will have as a result upon the completion of the deal. Zaslav was set to become CEO of the stand-alone Warner Bros. entity.

“Our mission has always been to entertain the world,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, in a statement. “By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies — from timeless classics like ‘Casablanca’ and ‘Citizen Kane’ to modern favorites like Harry Potter and ‘Friends’ — with our culture-defining titles like ‘Stranger Things,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and ‘Squid Game,’ we’ll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”

Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, added: “Warner Bros. has helped define entertainment for more than a century and continues to do so with phenomenal creative executives and production capabilities. 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.”

WBD’s Zaslav said in a statement, “Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most. For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come.”

In June 2025, WBD announced plans to separate its streaming and studios business (under the Warner Bros. banner) and its TV networks group (as Discovery Global) into two separate publicly traded companies. This separation is now expected to be completed in third quarter 2026, prior to the closing of the Netflix transaction. The newly separated Discovery Global, headed by current WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, will include comprise properties including CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., and Discovery; free-to-air channels in Europe; and digital products including Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.