Netflix intends to step in at that very moment and take over the “Warner package”, i.e. the film and streaming side of the business. This would bring huge franchises like Harry Potter i Game of Thronesas well as HBO’s entire heritage of quality series. According to the BBC, Netflix is willing to pay $28 per share, which would push it ahead of the competition.
Who was all in the game
Despite this, Netflix came out on top with a more aggressive offer and a focus on the part of the business that is key to it, i.e. movies and streaming. Others were also in the game, such as Comcast and Paramount Skydance, but it was Netflix, according to available information, that became the “main bidder”.
What this means for the industry and viewers
Tom Harrington of Enders Analysis believes that if the deal goes through, it would seriously shake up the film industry. According to him, it is a situation in which a streamer takes on a business that by its nature is often the opposite of Netflix’s approach, with limited use of theatrical distribution and an emphasis on subscriptions. Harrington expects “big cuts” in the production of films and series, which could provoke resistance from Hollywood unions, and warns that “HBO, the creative jewel, would be very exposed within Netflix, although it has historically managed to survive difficult owners.”
For ordinary viewers, the forecast is not overly optimistic. Harrington estimates that a merger would very likely lead to higher prices. Netflix would become more expensive, HBO Max would likely be shut down or pushed to the background, and a greater presence of Netflix in households would increase overall subscription revenues. In other words, we would get one mega-platform with a huge amount of content, but with potentially less choice and bigger bills.