David Ellison at The State Of The Union Address

(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Paramount+ and HBO Max will combine, David Ellison says

It’s yet to be determined whether this merger will result in yet another new name for the HBO streamer.

3/2/26 12:10PM

The planned merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will see the merger of the companies’ streaming apps, Paramount CEO David Ellison said on a conference call Monday.

“We will combine the streaming portfolios of the two companies into one stronger platform over the coming years,” Ellison said. “Across the two platforms there are over 200 million DTC [direct-to-consumer] subscribers today in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, positioning us to compete effectively with the leading streaming services in today’s marketplace.”

It’s still unclear if HBO Max — which was formerly known as just Max (and HBO Go before that) — will retain its name or get some extra words or symbols tacked on. Subscription costs for the combined streamer were also not discussed. HBO Max’s standard ad-free plan currently costs $18.49 per month, while Paramount’s ad-free tier is $13.99 per month.

Ellison implied that HBO would be given freedom to operate independently following the merger.

“Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO. And they built a phenomenal brand. They are a leader in this space. And we just want them to continue doing more of it,” Ellison said later in the call.

Paramount reaffirmed its expectations to achieve more than $6 billion in “synergies” from the deal, with COO Andy Gordon stating that an unspecified majority of those synergies would come from “nonlabor sources.”

Netflix declined to increase its WBD bid last week, clearing the way for Paramount and receiving a $2.8 billion termination fee from the maneuver. In an interview with Bloomberg over the weekend, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos rejected rumors that the decision to back out had to do with either his meeting with President Trump last week or a plan to force Paramount to overpay and walk away with the termination payment.

“There are easier ways to make $2.8 billion,” Sarandos said.

On prediction markets, Paramount’s odds to end up in control of Warner Bros.’ assets now stand at 83% as of Monday morning. Markets have priced in a 14% chance that the deal doesn’t go through.

(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)

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American Airlines joins the flock, hiking bag fees amid higher jet fuel prices

American Airlines on Thursday announced that it, too, will be hiking the fees it charges customers to check luggage.

With the move, all four of the major US airlines, which together control about 80% of the US market, have now hiked their baggage fees in recent days amid surging jet fuel prices.

The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

Since late March, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Canada’s WestJet, and Southwest have hiked their fees. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

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The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

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Less than a year after implementing them, Southwest is also hiking its bag fees

Southwest Airlines has joined the growing list of airlines opting to hike their bag fees amid sustained higher jet fuel costs.

Starting today, the first checked bag at the carrier — which implemented bag fees less than a year ago — will jump from $35 to $45, and the second from $45 to $55. Southwest quietly disclosed the change Tuesday.

Southwest assigned the decision to “part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”

As of Wednesday, jet fuel prices dropped to $4.16 a gallon, per the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, down from $4.81 on Tuesday following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, which sent travel stocks soaring. Major airlines have shed some of those gains in premarket trading Thursday.

With the move to hike bag fees, Southwest joins JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canada’s WestJet, all of which also boosted fees this month. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

Three US airlines have already hiked baggage fees. More are likely on the way.