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.)

Max Knoblauch6/15/26

Electronic Arts launches a platform to put more ads in its games

Video game publishing giant EA launched a new platform on Monday designed to make the process of selling immersive ad space in its popular games easier.

The company says the platform, called EA Advertising, allows brands to “integrate directly into gameplay through dynamic, real-time placements, from stadium signage to custom in-game content.”

More so than other studios, EA has incorporated advertising into its most popular titles. As Kotaku points out, the company’s ad efforts stretch as far back as 2006. Several of its sports franchises already feature partnerships with brands like Visa, Lowe’s, Red Bull, and PepsiCo.

In-game advertising hasn’t exactly been embraced by fans, but industry experts expect it to ramp up as companies seek more revenue to offset higher games budgets and surging memory costs. EA rival Take-Two has taken a different approach, with CEO Strauss Zelnick recently saying the company was “not at risk of doing brand partnerships” in the forthcoming “Grand Theft Auto VI,” and that ads in full-price games seems “unfair.”

The $55 billion deal to take EA private, led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is set to close at the end of this month. Being the largest leveraged buyout in history, EA will likely look for more ways to boost revenue to cover interest payments.

Electronic Arts Makes Push for Ad Dollars Tied to Sports

Millie Giles6/11/26

JM Smucker says it sold $1 billion worth of Uncrustables in FY2026

After years of booming sandwich sales, JM Smucker has finally earned a billion-dollar crust.

On Tuesday, the company reported results for fiscal year 2026, highlighting better-than-expected profits driven by higher prices for coffee and sweet baked goods. However, at another point on the earnings call, CEO Mark Smucker pointed to one particularly jammy figure: in line with previous forecasts, the company sold $1 billion worth of its (almost always) crustless sandwiches, Uncrustables, in the last year alone.

Max Knoblauch6/8/26

Paramount reportedly offers concessions to resolve multistate antitrust investigation

Paramount has reportedly offered up some concessions in an effort to prevent an antitrust lawsuit by California and about 10 other states, according to Bloomberg reporting on Monday.

Reuters first reported on the potential suit from a group of unnamed states last week, which could throw a wrench in Paramount’s plans to buy rival Warner Bros. Discovery in a Hollywood megamerger.

The list of concessions is unknown, though Bloomberg previously reported that Paramount is open to divesting some of its kids TV assets to appease EU regulators.

Late last month, reports said US regulators appeared likely to approve the $110 billion merger, following a meeting between Paramount CEO David Ellison and DOJ antitrust staffers.

Paramount Offers Concessions to Head Off State Antitrust Lawsuit

The list of concessions is unknown, though Bloomberg previously reported that Paramount is open to divesting some of its kids TV assets to appease EU regulators.

Late last month, reports said US regulators appeared likely to approve the $110 billion merger, following a meeting between Paramount CEO David Ellison and DOJ antitrust staffers.

$98B ⛽

Max Knoblauch6/8/26

The IATA released its latest financial outlook for the airline industry over the weekend, forecasting a $98 billion jump in the sector’s collective fuel bill. The world’s largest trade group representing airlines expects the oil spike to halve profits by 49% from last year to $23 billion.

The group also expects profit margins to halve year over year, falling from 2025’s 4.2% to 2%. Still, revenue is expected to climb to $1.17 trillion from $1.07 trillion.

A surge in the cost of jet fuel has rocked US and global airlines this year, leading Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and others to raise fares and ancillary charges like bag fees. Low-cost carriers, which operate on smaller margins, have been squeezed the hardest, resulting in Spirit’s shutdown.

“It’s a tough year for all airlines, especially those whose balance sheets had not yet recovered from COVID. And, of course, for those operating in the Gulf,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh, who added that demand is holding up and about half of passengers expect to spend more on travel this year. “That bodes well for a strong northern summer peak season. The big unknown is how long travelers and shippers can tolerate the higher costs of connectivity.”

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