The parent companies of HBO Max and Discovery Plus have officially completed their merger, allowing WarnerMedia and Discovery to create what they call “the most differentiated content portfolio in the world.”
Investors today approved the multibillion-dollar deal, allowing WarnerMedia’s current owner, AT&T, to sell it to Discovery and create a new business under the Warner Bros. Discovery name.
The companies said last year that the new business will be able to invest in more original content for its streaming services, enhance the programming selection of its global linear pay-TV and radio channels, and provide more innovative video experiences and consumer choice.
Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav will run the new company, and HBO Max and Discovery Plus are expected to eventually merge into one service.
Discovery Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels said that before the two apps are merged into one large app, some bundled subscription options will be launched first, and then the apps will be gradually merged.
Both Discovery Plus and HBO Max are currently available in ad-free and ad-free tiers:
- The price of Discovery Plus is $4.99 per month and $6.99 per month;
- HBO Max is priced at $9.99 per month and $14.99 per month.
If the two subscriptions are combined, the maximum price is $14.99 and $21.99 per month. AT&T and Discovery merged media and entertainment assets with the aim of bringing together TV channels such as CNN, TBS, TNT, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, Warner Bros., HBO Max and Discovery+.