Two Streaming Services Set To Combine After Merger

Paramount is the home of networks such as CBS, MTV, VH1, and Smithsonian Channel.  Meanwhile, Warner Brothers Discovery owns TNT, TBS, HBO, CNN, and Discovery Channel among others.

What The Merger Means For Sports On The Streaming Services

The combination of Paramount+ and HBO Max would create a wide landscape of sports options available to subscribers.  Thanks to the Paramount+ side, they would receive NFL and college football games, college basketball, and golf from CBS, plus the full UFC schedule that is available for free.  From HBO Max, the Turner and TBS portions of the NCAA college basketball tournament are available, plus All Elite Wrestling, NHL on TNT, Major League Baseball on TBS, U.S. Soccer and NASCAR.

The Paramount spokesperson on the call according to Steinberg called them “incredible brands,” and said there are no plans at this time to divest or spin off a package of cable networks.

The spokesperson also mentioned UFC specifically, saying their cards could be made available across more platforms, including on broadcast or TNT.  However, the spokesperson also mentioned that the current plan is to allow HBO to continue operating with independence.

“Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO. And you know, they they built a phenomenal brand. They are a leader in the space, and we just want them to continue doing more of it,” the spokesperson said.

Warner Brothers Discovery had been pursued by Comcast and Netflix, who had offered all-cash purchases from the start.  Paramount initially did not offer all cash, but upped its bid to $31 per share of WBD, $1 more than what Netflix had offered.