WBD Acquisition Thread

[themidnightlore]

So there's the Hearst A+E Networks-core divorce at the end (and in that case is an half divorce, considering that A+E Global Media is still a thing).
But without the EU asking for it?

 

[lowell]

So there's the Hearst A+E Networks-core divorce at the end (and in that case is an half divorce, considering that A+E Global Media is still a thing).
But without the EU asking for it?

To me, this SkyShowtime exit is seemingly looking like that Paramount+ will have to resume its international expansion to increase its profitability.

The decision to finally integrate the niche BET+ service pools together its U.S. subscribers but you could only do so much growth within that flagship market that you would need to expand to other countries.

 

[themidnightlore]

To me, this SkyShowtime exit is seemingly looking like that Paramount+ will have to resume its international expansion to increase its profitability.

The decision to finally integrate the niche BET+ service pools together its U.S. subscribers but you could only do so much growth within that flagship market that you would need to expand to other countries.

For NBCU, maybe they can use the dying SkyShowtime as a trampoline for launch Universal+ instead. While Paramount will really have to restart giving P+ around...

 

[lowell]

For NBCU, maybe they can use the dying SkyShowtime as a trampoline for launch Universal+ instead. While Paramount will really have to restart giving P+ around...

Yup, I'd even call it Universal Access as a more unique name instead of everyone trying to use Plus in their branding.

But Peacock & Hayu will have to combine before that and that's still not adequate for an international rollout. It's not like Comcast can't scoop up Lionsgate, Starz, & AMC Networks to give the Universal Access platform a boost.

 

[zakawer2]

If Paramount exits SkyShowtime, will this mean that Paramount+ will actually return to Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland?

In the Nordic countries not named Iceland, Paramount+ was shut down and replaced with SkyShowtime in 2022, only less than two years after its 2021 launch. All Paramount+ subscribers in DK/SE/NO/FI were migrated to SkyShowtime.

 

[lowell]

If Paramount exits SkyShowtime, will this mean that Paramount+ will actually return to Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland?

In the Nordic countries not named Iceland, Paramount+ was shut down and replaced with SkyShowtime in 2022, only less than two years after its 2021 launch. All Paramount+ subscribers in DK/SE/NO/FI were migrated to SkyShowtime.

This signals an actual return to those countries and a Paramount+ rollout to any other European territories that doesn't currently have it and definitely some African countries & Asia.

 

[PF9]

It's not like Comcast can't scoop up Lionsgate, Starz, & AMC Networks to give the Universal Access platform a boost.

Comcast won't go for the latter two as they have decreased their involvement in linear cable networks with the Versant spin-off. AMC could be useful for Sony though to expand their presence in linear TV, and Lionsgate should go to Sony as well.

But back on topic, SkyShowtime being merged into an international rollout of Peacock is realistic. The merged PSKY/WBD would use the international versions of HBOmax as the basis for the international version of the combined Paramount+/HBOmax service. Stateside, this merged service would supersede P+ as an offering for Walmart+ subscribers (I use my mother's Walmart+ and through that I use P+, though I'm limited to using it on my computer because it is the only way I can watch it with an ad-blocker as Walmart+ subscribers don't get the ad-free plan automatically.).

 

[lowell]

There’s also this article from Puck regarding CNN, lowell. Care to explain?

https://archive.ph/HbS3P

It’s the same article I posted.

Comcast won't go for the latter two as they have decreased their involvement in linear cable networks with the Versant spin-off. AMC could be useful for Sony though to expand their presence in linear TV, and Lionsgate should go to Sony as well.

But back on topic, SkyShowtime being merged into an international rollout of Peacock is realistic. The merged PSKY/WBD would use the international versions of HBOmax as the basis for the international version of the combined Paramount+/HBOmax service. Stateside, this merged service would supersede P+ as an offering for Walmart+ subscribers (I use my mother's Walmart+ and through that I use P+, though I'm limited to using it on my computer because it is the only way I can watch it with an ad-blocker as Walmart+ subscribers don't get the ad-free plan automatically.).

That’s a factually wrong assumption about Comcast, who’s growing Sky with ITV’s linear networks in the UK.

If Comcast want to expand Peacock with Lionsgate, Starz, & AMC Networks, it makes actual sense and they’re free to do so because these are bite-size purchases that they can easily digest with their $9B cash proceeds.

Anyway, let’s say the AI stock bubble’s popping does happen during the middle of the WarnerDiscovery pursuit (Oracle stock is used as loan collateral).

Zaslav gets a $7B check to pay down debt and could continue HBO Max’s international expansion without any more Ellison interference and Discovery+ would just be integrated into it.

It never needed Paramount+ at all while Skydance folded BET+ into Paramount+ because they’re way behind in growing the subscriber base.

This is why Paramount+’s international expansion has to continue, regardless of Ellison’s WarnerDiscovery obsession.

 

[PF9]

That’s a factually wrong assumption about Comcast, who’s growing Sky with ITV’s linear networks in the UK.

Well it's correct as far as the American operations of Comcast are concerned. The only cable networks still under Comcast in the USA are Bravo, Universo, and the NBC Sports Regional Networks (although the latter ones are on thin ice due to the downfall of RSNs).

With the merger of HBOmax and Paramount+, I could see a lot of the purged family-friendly content from the former returning to the combined service.

As well, the service could play host to new restored versions of Paramount cartoons (Fleischer and Famous) that Paramount still owns (with those released before October 1950 being part of the Melange Pictures library). It would be similar to how HBOmax premiered new restorations of previously-unrestored WB cartoons. Any new restorations of Famous Studios cartoons owned by DreamWorks Classics would be hosted on Peacock (while Paramount still owns the original negatives of those cartoons as well as theatrical distribution rights, NBCUniversal has access to those negatives if they wanted to make new prints of those cartoons - theoretically, that means Universal and Paramount could co-operate if the former wants to restore the Famous cartoons they own in their original release forms, much like how Paramount and WB did the same for restored Popeye and Superman cartoons).

 

[lowell]

Well it's correct as far as the American operations of Comcast are concerned. The only cable networks still under Comcast in the USA are Bravo, Universo, and the NBC Sports Regional Networks (although the latter ones are on thin ice due to the downfall of RSNs).

I still wouldn’t go that far to make any detailed assumption at this point when Comcast wants to pursue ITV channels to help Sky and could still scoop up Lionsgate, Starz, and AMC Networks to bolster up NBCUniversal and Peacock.

One person could say you’re correct and Comcast comes out with the contrary.

We saw them end NBC Sports Network and then revived just 4 years later.

It’s the same thing with your assumptions on Skydance’s WarnerDiscovery pursuit, there’s no need to jump to immediate conclusions when we can just wait and see where that falls.