Skydance CEO David Ellison says Paramount+ and HBO Max may operate separately before becoming one streaming service. The company plans to merge the platforms, but Ellison suggested the process could take some time.
What We Know: Skydance plans to combine Paramount+ and HBO Max as part of its broader streaming strategy. In March, Ellison told investors the company believed putting the platforms together would position it to compete with the leading services. At the time, he said the combined platform would give Skydance access to “a little over 200 million direct-to-consumer subscribers.” However, Ellison now says viewers shouldn’t expect an immediate combination. Instead, the two services will initially continue operating separately as the company works toward a merger.
What They Said: “It’ll take a period of time to do that. So I think in the immediate you will see them operated separately … Given the way AI technology and other things have progressed, we think we can actually accelerate how quickly we accomplish that goal.” -David Ellison
What Remains Unclear: Skydance hasn’t provided a specific timeline for combining Paramount+ and HBO Max. Additionally, the company hasn’t detailed whether one platform will ultimately absorb the other or whether it will launch a new unified service. Ellison’s comments suggest the company wants to move quickly, but the immediate priority remains operating the platforms separately.
What It Means: The eventual combination would create a significantly larger streaming offering for Skydance. Meanwhile, keeping the services separate gives the company time to determine how best to integrate their technology, content and subscribers.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
