Another big streaming merger might be on the horizon, this time between Paramount Plus and Comcast's Peacock.
According to a February 16 Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the situation, Paramount Global and Comcast have been in talks to discuss streaming options, including the possibility of combining their respective services. A possible combination of these services could look a bit like SkyShowtime, a streaming service that includes services like Peacock, Showtime, Paramount Plus and Nickelodeon and is currently offered in 22 markets in Europe.
A joint Paramount Plus-Peacock streaming app could significantly save costs for the companies and give customers more to choose from, especially relating to live sports, according to the report.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Comcast and Paramount did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The news comes amid reports that Shari Redstone, chairwoman of Paramount Global, has been eyeing a sale of the company.
Streaming deals could face scrutiny
It also follows a December 1 WSJ report that Paramount and Apple may be in talks to bundle streaming services.
However, while bundling tie-ups appear to be becoming the norm, big mergers can face regulatory scrutiny. For example, the Justice Department may be eyeing recently announced plans for an ESPN, Fox and Warner sports streaming deal due to anti-competitive concerns, including concerns over pricing and sports league negotiations, as Bloomberg News reported on February 15.
Streaming service price hikes
The trend toward bundling comes as prices have steadily increased for streaming services over the past year. In October 2023, the monthly cost of the Netflix basic plan rose to $11.99, up $2, and the premium plan increased to $22.99, up $3. A Discovery Plus ad-free subscription went up to $8.90, while Disney Plus' ad-free version went to $13.99, from $10.99 in August.
Some streaming service subscribers are choosing to walk away from pricey services, causing streaming giants to rethink their services, as Kiplinger has previously reported.
It can be difficult to navigate the growing number and varieties of cable and streaming services as well as their pricing plans.
There are, however, ways to save. For tips on saving money while making sure you get to watch some of the must-see releases, check out our round-up of how to save on streaming services and find streaming deals.
RELATED CONTENT
-
3 Ways to Stretch the 2026 Social Security COLA For Your BudgetThree steps retirees can take to stretch the Social Security COLA to fit their budgets.
-
How to Keep Your Charitable Giving Momentum Going All YearInstead of treating charity like a year-end rush for tax breaks, consider using smart tools like DAFs and recurring grants for maximum impact all the year.
-
Uber Takes Aim at the Bottom Lines of Billboard LawyersUber has filed lawsuits and proposed a ballot initiative, in California, to curb settlements it claims are falsely inflated by some personal injury lawyers.
-
Uber Takes Aim at the Bottom Lines of Billboard Personal Injury Lawyers
Uber has filed lawsuits and proposed a ballot initiative, in California, to curb settlements it claims are falsely inflated by some personal injury lawyers.
-
11 Cities With the Cheapest Groceries in the USIf you live in one of these 11 cities, you're paying less than the rest of the country to keep your fridge stocked.
-
Giving Tuesday 2025: 'Every Small Act Makes a Major Difference'GivingTuesday encourages generosity in any form, from donating to charity to helping your neighbors.
-
How to Position Your Portfolio for Lower Interest RatesThe Federal Reserve is far from done with its rate-cutting regime. This is how investors can prepare.
-
Moves to Manage the Soaring Costs of Owning a CarIt's costing more and more to keep a car on the road, but you can drive some costs down. Here's how to get a better deal on insurance premiums, repairs and gas
-
My First $1 Million: Oil Industry Engineering Manager, 67, Chapel Hill, N.C.Ever wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
I'm a Financial Literacy Expert: Bubble-Wrapping Our Kids Robbed Them of Resilience. Now What?By raising them to think they're amazing no matter what and lifting them over obstacles, we left them unprepared to work in the real world.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: If You're a High Earner, You Need an 18-Month Safety NetNo job seems to be safe in this age of AI. If you make a larger-than-usual salary, then you need to have a larger-than-usual emergency fund. Here's why.
