Following my earlier report on the massive acquisition announcement, Netflix has officially begun communicating directly with its subscriber base. Just a few minutes ago, an email started hitting inboxes addressing the purchase of Warner Bros., including HBO Max and HBO. This is the first direct correspondence from the streamer acknowledging the merger to its current customers.
The email serves largely to reassure subscribers about the immediate future of their service. While the communication highlights the excitement of uniting franchises like Harry Potter and the DC Universe with Netflix hits like Stranger Things, the primary message is one of continuity. The company explicitly states that nothing is changing today and that both streaming services will continue to operate separately while they await regulatory and shareholder approvals.
For those concerned about their current plans, the email clarifies that all memberships remain the same for now. It seems Netflix is keen to get ahead of the rumor mill by confirming that while the deal is signed, the integration process has significant hurdles to clear before users see any changes to their apps or billing. You can read the full text of the email sent to subscribers below.
Hi Trevor,
We recently announced that Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO. This unites our leading entertainment service with Warner Bros.’ iconic stories, bringing some of the world’s most beloved franchises like Harry Potter, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Casablanca, Game of Thrones and the DC Universe together with Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, Bridgerton and KPop Demon Hunters.
What’s changing?
Nothing is changing today. Both streaming services will continue to operate separately. We have more steps to complete before the deal is closed, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. You’ll hear from us when we have more to share. In the meantime, we hope you’ll continue to enjoy watching as much as you want, whenever you want – all on your current membership plan.
We know you might have questions. Check out our Help Center for more information or contact us at any time.
Thank you for choosing Netflix. We’re committed to bringing you more great TV shows, movies, games and live programming.
The Netflix team
What This Means For You
Since this is a developing story with a lot of moving parts, I’ve put together a quick breakdown of the most common questions based on this email and the official help center updates.
Will my Netflix price go up immediately? No. The email explicitly states that “nothing is changing with your current plan.” Your billing and membership tier remain exactly the same for the time being.
Can I watch HBO Max shows on Netflix now? Not yet. The services are still operating as separate apps. To watch House of the Dragon or The Batman, you still need to open your HBO Max app. The libraries will likely not merge until the deal officially closes.
Should I cancel my HBO Max subscription? If you want to keep watching HBO content right now, you should keep your subscription. Because the apps are separate, your Netflix login does not currently grant you access to HBO Max content.
When will the changes actually happen? The deal still requires regulatory and shareholder approvals. While Netflix hasn’t given a firm date in the email, these types of massive media mergers typically take 12 to 18 months to finalize. We likely won’t see a combined app or library until sometime in 2026.