Netflix, already the streaming industry leader, now looks set to own two of the biggest video streaming platforms with the purchase of Warner Bros and its HBO Max app. What awaits Netflix subscribers? Los Angeles (dpa) – Streaming giant Netflix is acquiring the Hollywood stalwart Warner Bros following the spin-off of Warner's Discovery Global business unit for nearly $82.7 billion, Netflix announced on Friday. Does this mean that Warner's HBO Max app, a high-end rival to Netflix known for cult shows like "The Wire", "The Sopranos" and "Succession", will be merged with the Netflix app? Netflix isn't saying anything along these lines so far. In fact, it's still early days, and the company says it expects the transaction to take 12 to 18 months. However it does suggest that Netflix viewers will be able to watch HBO and Warner content like "Batman", "Superman", "The Last of Us" and "Game of Thrones". "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 in its statement announcing the purchase. Access to HBO's content will allow Netflix to "optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content." It's also possible that HBO could keep the two brands separate, but that subscribers could purchase and watch both together in the same app. Currently, subscribers can pay for a discounted bundle of Disney, Hulu and HBO Max. Alongside HBO Max and HBO, the deal also includes content from Warner Bros' film and television studios. "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," Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, said in a statement. "Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling," Sarandos said. Warner Bros officially put itself up for sale in October after receiving several takeover bids. In addition to the Hollywood studios and the streaming service HBO Max, this also includes several television channels. According to reports, Netflix is only interested in the production and streaming business. However, Warner originally wanted to spin off the channels into a separate company anyway. The purchase may also make the streaming giant a major player in the cinema business. Until now, Netflix has generally refused to release its original exclusives in cinemas, preferring to focus on streaming. The following information is not intended for publication dpa evy bf xxde hm ph wjh coh
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