Warner Bros. Discovery Is Splitting Up: What It Means for You

For those who’ve just gotten used to the idea of HBO Max, Warner Bros. movies and Discovery Channel all existing under the same brand, we have some bad news: They’re splitting up again.

Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns CNN, Food Network, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Gaming, is splitting up into two separate public companies. According to a Monday press release, the two new companies will be called Streaming & Studios and Global Networks. Those are the real names — it’s hard to imagine their generic nature won’t create some confusion among streaming customers, though you wouldn’t rule out yet more rebranding in the future.

Streaming & Studios will include the newly renamed HBO Max, Warner Bros. movies and gaming, and DC among other properties. Global Networks will hold among its assets Discovery Plus, CNN, Bleacher Report and TNT Sports.

The companies just completed their merger in 2022. The new split is expected to be completed in 2026. It’s unclear yet whether the split will cut consumers off from content on services they already subscribe to, such as HBO Max, which includes content that would fall under Global Networks, and whether the pricing of services will change to factor that in. 

For now, the services are not expected to experience any major shakeups. The press releases about the two new companies focused on shareholder value and aggressive pursuits of new ventures, not on how the change will affect viewers and customers.