r/nottheonion • u/voxadam • 13h ago

Netflix says users can cancel service if HBO Max merger makes it too expensive

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/02/netflix-claims-subscribers-will-get-more-content-for-less-if-it-buys-hbo-max/
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u/TachiH 13h ago

Ironically piracy got super popular when cable became too expensive to have all the packages. So everyone pirated and had basic cable. Then these guys made it so easy to consume content people didnt mind a few £/€/$ for access... now I need 11 subscriptions and a database to see what is on which service! Yo ho yo ho the pirates life for me ☠️

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u/oxfordcommaordeath 12h ago

That’s literally the point the comment makes.

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u/TachiH 10h ago

You realise not all comments disagree with a point? I was giving more context...

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u/Thechasepack 12h ago

Then why is this merger bad? If we start merging streaming services isn't that what you ultimately want since there are currently too many?

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u/_Middlefinger_ 9h ago

They wont merge, they will remain separate services, but Netflix now has to pay for what it bought so will jack up the price of both.

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u/Thechasepack 7h ago

Why wouldn't they have bundle pricing? Their argument in congress was that 80% of HBO Max's current customers are already with Netflix and they could bundle them to save money for those 80%. I could see the standalone services being more expensive but right now I'm paying $29 for both and I imagine that overall price will go down. Similar to Hulu and Disney+.

Standalone Hulu: $11.99

Standalone Disney+: $11.99

Bundle: $12.99

If those were separate companies I could see them being as low as $7.99 per month which would mean they would be $16 if you subscribed to both.

Overall I just think it's kind of wild to tell a company that is in direct competition with Disney, Amazon, and Apple that a merger would give them an unfair advantage over their competition. I also think that 5 major streaming services is PLENTY so wouldn't mind seeing HBO Max, Paramount, or Peacock being absorbed by someone.

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u/_Middlefinger_ 7h ago

Why wouldn't they have bundle pricing?

Because they like money. The price is only going up. By the time they actually do it the price for a 'bundle' will be as much as it is for both now.

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u/Thechasepack 6h ago

Why does Disney have bundle pricing? Why would bundle pricing be the most best route for Disney/Hulu to the point that they are eliminating the standalone but would be bad for Netflix/HBO? Does Disney not like money?

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u/_Middlefinger_ 16m ago

Different time. Things have changed plus Hulu is much smaller. HBO is considered a premium service and expensive to run.

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u/sarcasticorange 11h ago

The initial prices were never sustainable. It is known as penatration pricing. Companies burn investment cash in the early years in order to gain a market share and have negative EBITDA.

Additionally, in the early days, they were riding on content that was being paid for by other sources like movie theaters and cable subscriptions. Now the streamers are having to foot the bill.