Prepare for the Combination of Your Online Streaming Platforms

Prepare for a Possible Union of Your Streaming Platforms

In the rapidly evolving world of streaming services, companies are constantly exploring ways to boost their subscriber bases and maintain their market positions. One such platform, Peacock, launched by NBCUniversal, has been no exception.

Recent reports suggest that ViacomCBS has shown interest in a potential offering of Peacock in overseas markets. This interest is said to have been piqued by the prospect of a bundling offer with CBS All Access, which is soon to relaunch as Paramount. NBCUniversal has reportedly pitched ViacomCBS about bundling Peacock with Paramount at a discounted rate.

However, there has been no indication of a potential merger between NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia, another major player in the streaming market. Similarly, neither ViacomCBS nor WarnerMedia have commented on the reports of a potential merger between their respective companies.

Meanwhile, HBO Max, a service owned by WarnerMedia, is considering a significant shift in its business model. Reports suggest that all broadcast and licensed content could soon be made ad-supported, with premium projects being shoved behind a paywall. If this move materializes, ads could arrive on HBO Max as soon as this year.

This shift in strategy comes as streaming services struggle to keep their heads above water. As the market becomes increasingly saturated, particularly for legacy brands like CBS, NBC, and Discovery, companies are finding it harder to turn a profit. Even industry giants like Netflix and Disney+, with over 200 million and 95 million subscriptions respectively, are feeling the pressure.

AT&T chiefs have believed that more is better when launching HBO Max, a strategy that could risk tarnishing a legacy brand with confusing branding and ads. In contrast, NBCUniversal's Peacock currently boasts around 11.3 million monthly active ad-supported accounts, according to an internal presentation.

In an effort to strengthen its market position, Paramount Global has recently merged with Skydance Media. This strategic move comes as Paramount+ faces stiff competition from Netflix and Disney. Additionally, K Wave Media is collaborating strategically with Netflix for global distribution, blending K-POP, K-Drama, and K-Movie content. These potential partnership moves signal a shift in the streaming landscape.

As the streaming market continues to evolve, it's clear that all services, including HBO Max, need to start making money at some point. Whether through ad-supported content, strategic partnerships, or other means, the future of streaming is uncertain but promising.