HBO Max and Paramount+ Merger: What Subscribers Should Know

Updated September 30, 2026

Paramount's deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery is close to the finish line. That puts HBO Max and Paramount+ under one roof. If you pay for one or both, you probably want to know whether your app, your login, or your monthly price is about to change.

Here's what's confirmed, what's only reported, and what's still guesswork, as of September 30, 2026. We'll also cover a few smart moves to make with your streaming budget while the details get sorted out.

The quick version

• The merger hasn't closed yet. Paramount settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 state attorneys general on September 21, 2026, but a federal judge still has to approve that settlement.
• Paramount expects to close in early October. The judge hasn't said when she'll rule.
• Nothing changes for subscribers yet. HBO Max and Paramount+ are still separate apps with separate accounts and prices.
• Combining the apps has been discussed. Paramount executives have said they'd like to fold HBO Max into Paramount+, but no plan, date, or price has been announced.

Where the merger stands

Paramount Skydance agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year. Federal regulators at the Department of Justice cleared the deal in June. In July, a coalition of 12 states led by California sued to block it.

On September 21, Paramount and the states announced a settlement. It includes five years of commitments on film output, rules for how the two companies' cable channels are sold to TV providers, and protections for Pluto TV's free streaming service. Because it's a court settlement, the judge overseeing the case has to sign off.

That approval hasn't happened yet. On September 24, the judge asked both sides to answer questions raised by Sen. Cory Booker before she rules. On September 28, the companies and the states filed their responses and asked her to approve the deal. Paramount has said it expects the merger to close in early October, but until the judge rules, the timing isn't locked in.

Will HBO Max and Paramount+ become one app?

Possibly, but not right away. Paramount CEO David Ellison and other executives have talked about merging HBO Max's library and technology into Paramount+. It's not clear whether that's still the plan, and the company hasn't announced a name, launch date, or pricing for any combined service.

There's also news about who might run it. According to published reports, Ellison picked HBO's longtime content chief, Casey Bloys, to oversee the combined company's streaming business. Paramount hasn't officially announced that role, so treat it as reported, not final.

Even if the apps do combine, big streaming changes usually take months. Accounts, billing systems, and apps on every TV platform have to be moved over. When other services have merged apps, subscribers generally got advance notice and instructions for moving their accounts.

What could change for subscribers

Nothing below has been announced. These are the areas to watch once the deal closes:

• App and login. If the services merge, you may eventually be asked to move your account to a new or renamed app.
• Price. A combined service could cost more than either app does today, or it could come in tiers. Watch for notices about price changes.
• Where shows live. Some titles could move from one app to the other before any full combination.
• Bundles. Deals that bundle HBO Max or Paramount+ with other services, phone plans, or TV packages could be reworked.
• Pluto TV. Under the settlement, the company must keep a free, ad-supported streaming service at current quality or better for five years, under the Pluto name or a successor.

How you pay makes a difference

Many people don't pay HBO Max or Paramount+ directly. Your subscription might come through a cable or satellite TV package, an internet or phone provider perk, or an app store or streaming-device channel store. If so, any changes will usually reach you through that company first.

A few tips:

• Check your bill. Find out exactly where each subscription is billed so you know who will send notices.
• Know your included tier. Services bundled with TV or internet plans are often the ad-supported versions. Upgrading may cost extra.
• Watch for bundle updates. If your TV or internet package includes one of these apps, check your provider's announcements after the merger closes.

Smart moves while you wait

• Don't panic-cancel. Your current subscriptions keep working. There's no reason to drop a service you use just because of merger headlines.
• Think twice about new annual plans. Monthly billing gives you more flexibility if prices or packages change after the deal closes.
• Look for overlap. If you're paying for both apps, plus a TV package that already includes one, you may be paying twice.
• Rotate services. Many households subscribe for a month or two to catch a new season, then pause. Streaming services are usually month-to-month, so this is easy to do.
• Make sure your internet keeps up. If you stream in 4K on more than one TV, plan on about 25 Mbps per 4K stream, plus headroom for everything else in the house.

Frequently asked questions

Is HBO Max going away?

Not now. HBO Max is still available as its own app. Paramount has discussed combining it with Paramount+ someday, but nothing has been announced, and the merger hadn't closed as of September 30, 2026.

When will the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger close?

Paramount expects it to close in early October 2026. It still needs a federal judge to approve its settlement with 12 states, and she hasn't said when she'll rule.

Will HBO Max or Paramount+ get more expensive?

No price changes tied to the merger have been announced. Streaming prices tend to rise over time, and a combined service could be priced differently, so keep an eye on your email.

Do I need both HBO Max and Paramount+?

For now, yes, if you want everything on both. They remain separate services. If they combine later, one subscription may cover both libraries, but that hasn't been confirmed.

Will Pluto TV stay free?

Under the settlement, the combined company must keep a free, ad-supported streaming service at its current quality or better for five years, once the settlement is approved.