Canadians eagerly anticipating HBO’s upcoming TV and streaming adaptation of the popular series “Harry Potter,” scheduled to debut early next year, will be able to enjoy it on Crave in Canada. The future of the exclusive rights of HBO content on Crave, such as “Harry Potter,” “The White Lotus,” as well as upcoming seasons of “The Last of Us” and “House of the Dragon,” remains uncertain due to Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for a staggering $110 billion US.
The takeover, pending federal approval expected by year-end, raises questions about the fate of existing deals between Warner Bros. Discovery and Canadian broadcasters like Crave. It also leaves Canadian viewers wondering if they will need to subscribe to another service to access their favorite shows. Paramount+, already established in Canada along with its free ad-supported TV service Pluto TV, aims to merge these platforms with HBO Max into a unified streaming service, as indicated by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.
While the specifics of how the acquisition will impact Canadian streaming services are unclear, Bell Media’s Crave has been the home of HBO and HBO Max programming in Canada through a longstanding agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. Bell Media reassures that the current deal ensures the presence of HBO and HBO Max content on Crave for the foreseeable future. Even if Paramount+ introduces HBO content in Canada, it may not entirely vanish from Crave, as seen in the U.S. where some HBO titles have streamed on multiple platforms.
In a potential scenario where Paramount+ consolidates Pluto TV, Paramount+, and HBO Max, the implications for the Canadian distributor of Pluto TV, Corus Entertainment, remain unknown. Similarly, the impact on Rogers Sports & Media, which became the Canadian distributor for HGTV, Food Network, and Discovery brands in 2024, is uncertain. Despite these changes, Rogers remains committed to offering this content to Canadian audiences through its Citytv+ streaming service.
The ongoing developments in the streaming landscape, particularly the Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, are poised to reshape the streaming industry in Canada. As the situation evolves, Canadian viewers and industry players are eagerly awaiting clarity on how these changes will affect their streaming choices and preferences.
