OSN Confirms HBO Partnership Remains Unaffected Following Skydance’s $111 Billion Warner Bros Acquisition.
Dubai: Paramount Skydance finalised its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday, October 6, bringing an end to a takeover battle that continued for more than a year.
The landmark transaction, valued at approximately $111 billion (Dh408 billion), including debt, has resulted in the creation of a combined entertainment company operating under the name Skydance.
The major consolidation in the global entertainment industry has raised questions about its potential impact on audiences in the UAE, particularly regarding streaming subscriptions, television content and cinema releases.
How the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Unfolded
The competition to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery involved several major developments and competing offers from leading entertainment companies.
In December 2025, Netflix initially reached an agreement to purchase Warner Bros.’ film production studios and streaming operations, including HBO and HBO Max, in a deal valued at approximately $83 billion (Dh305 billion).
However, shortly after the announcement, Paramount Skydance, headed by Chief Executive Officer David Ellison, entered the bidding contest with a hostile takeover proposal for the entire Warner Bros. Discovery business.
Paramount subsequently increased its offer to $31 per share (approximately Dh114) in cash, strengthening its position in the acquisition battle.
By late February 2026, Warner Bros. Discovery’s board had decided to support Paramount’s proposal after Netflix chose not to increase its competing bid.
The completed acquisition brings together an extensive portfolio of entertainment studios, television networks, popular franchises and digital streaming platforms.
In the film industry, the combined company now controls Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures, alongside globally recognised entertainment properties such as Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and DC Comics.
Its television operations encompass major networks and entertainment brands, including HBO, CBS, CNN, MTV, Comedy Central, Discovery, TLC, Food Network and HGTV.
The group also operates two major streaming platforms, HBO Max and Paramount+, expanding its presence across the international digital entertainment market.
The newly formed entertainment company will be jointly headed by David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Mattel.
Meanwhile, HBO executive Casey Bloys is expected to take responsibility for overseeing the group’s combined streaming operations.
What Will Happen to HBO Content in the UAE?
Following the merger, Skydance has confirmed plans to integrate HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming platform in the United States. However, the company has not yet disclosed when the consolidation will take place or what the new service will be called.
For audiences in the UAE, the situation is different because HBO programming is distributed through a separate regional arrangement.
Rather than accessing HBO shows directly through HBO Max, viewers in the UAE can watch them through OSN+ and OSNtv, operated by Dubai-based entertainment provider OSN.
The company holds an exclusive, multi-year licensing agreement covering HBO content across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
This partnership provides regional audiences with access to popular series such as House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, alongside acclaimed productions including The Sopranos and Succession.
In March 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery also acquired a 30% ownership stake in OSN Streaming for a reported $57 million (approximately Dh209 million).
Following the completion of the acquisition, that ownership interest has transferred to Skydance as part of the wider transaction.
Could OSN+ Subscription Prices Increase After the Merger?
The potential impact of the merger on streaming subscription costs remains an important question for viewers.
Skydance has not yet revealed the subscription pricing structure for its planned combined streaming platform.
In the United States, both HBO Max and Paramount+ have increased their subscription charges over the past year. Industry analysts anticipate that the new consolidated platform could carry a higher price than either individual service.
However, the circumstances are different for subscribers in the UAE.
HBO programming is available through OSN+, which independently determines its subscription rates. Any potential changes to pricing or content availability would depend on the terms of OSN’s licensing agreements with Skydance.
When approached for clarification about whether the merger could affect subscription costs, OSN confirmed that its existing partnership arrangements remain in place.
An OSN spokesperson explained that the company maintains a long-established strategic relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery, supported by multi-year agreements that have not been altered by the completion of the acquisition.
The spokesperson also confirmed that OSN’s planned content releases will continue as scheduled, with the company maintaining its focus on providing subscribers with a diverse selection of premium international and regional entertainment.
Importantly, OSN has not announced any increase in its streaming subscription prices following the merger.
How the Merger Could Affect Cinema Audiences
For cinema enthusiasts, the acquisition brings two of Hollywood’s major film production and distribution businesses under a single corporate structure.
With Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures now part of the same entertainment group, the merger represents a significant consolidation of film production, distribution and major movie franchises.
The longer-term implications for cinema releases and audiences in the UAE will depend on the combined company’s future production and distribution strategies.
As part of the acquisition agreement, Paramount Skydance has pledged to release at least 30 films in cinemas annually across Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures.
These movies are expected to receive international theatrical distribution, including screenings in cinemas throughout the UAE.
Will Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Be Affected?
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, located on Yas Island, is developed and managed by Miral through a licensing partnership with Warner Bros.
Despite the change in ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery, no modifications to the theme park’s operations or existing arrangements have been announced following the merger.
Independent Oversight Planned for CBS News and CNN
Skydance is currently concentrating on integrating the operations of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery into a unified entertainment business.
Further announcements regarding the company’s streaming strategy, including plans for its combined digital platform, are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Under the terms of a settlement reached last week, Skydance has agreed to establish a five-member independent board responsible for monitoring editorial standards at CBS News and CNN.
The court has also indicated that the company could be required to divest certain film studios and cable television networks if it fails to meet the conditions outlined in the settlement.
