Netflix offers £4.99 HBO Max bundle in $83bn Warner Bros bid fight
Netflix will tell the UK competition watchdog that bundling its Netflix service with £4.99-monthly HBO Max under its $83bn Warner Bros takeover would cost viewers less than separate subscriptions. The bid faces a $108bn rival from Paramount and reviews by UK and US regulators over potential streaming monopoly risks.
1. Bundle Proposal to UK Regulator
Netflix plans to argue before the Competition and Markets Authority that combining its streaming service with HBO Max at a £4.99 monthly rate will deliver consumer cost savings compared to subscribing to two separate platforms, strengthening its defense of the $83bn Warner Bros takeover.
2. HBO Max UK Launch Details
HBO Max is set to launch in the UK next month at a starting price of £4.99 per month and will feature new series like the Harry Potter TV adaptation alongside established HBO hits such as Succession and The Sopranos.
3. Paramount’s $108bn Counteroffer
Paramount, backed by Oracle’s Larry Ellison, has proffered a $108bn bid for Warner Bros, arguing its proposal offers greater certainty, prompting Warner’s board to consider reopening talks and potentially forcing Netflix to raise its offer.
4. Regulatory Scrutiny and Pricing Dynamics
Both the UK CMA and the US Department of Justice are reviewing the deal for monopoly concerns. Meanwhile, Netflix’s ad-free subscription price has climbed over 60% since 2019, and executives insist that easy cancellation and discount bundles will keep consumer costs in check.