Warner Bros Discovery to merge HBO Max, Discovery+ to create a combined streaming platform

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc (NASDAQ: WBD) on Thursday said it would merge the HBO Max streaming service with Discovery+ as a single offering, combining WarnerMedia’s dramas, comedies and movies with Discovery’s reality shows.

“With respect to streaming, our main priority right now is launching an integrated SVOD service,” said Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav.

The move comes as the overall online streaming industry faces a demand slowdown.

WBD also vowed to compete against Walt Disney Co’s (NYSE: DIS) superhit Marvel Cinematic Universe.