👑 The Acquisition of WBD Would Make Netflix the Absolute Leader in Scandinavia

Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. (including HBO and HBO Max) would create the largest streaming player in Scandinavia if the services are merged, Mediavision reports.

The merger of Netflix and HBO Max would combine more than 6 million subscribers across the region (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland).

The closest competitors (HBO Max, Disney+, and Viaplay as standalone services) each have around 3 million subscribers. The combined service would therefore enjoy a twofold advantage over its nearest rival.

The deal to acquire Warner Bros.’ film and TV studios is valued at $82.7 billion (around €76 billion) and is expected to take place after the spin-off of the Discovery Global Networks division.

Analysts warn that, despite HBO’s strong brand and high-quality content, it remains unclear whether the services will actually be merged for consumers.

The transaction is expected to face close scrutiny from antitrust regulators in both the US and Europe.