Parmamount and HBO Max will combine eventually, more from this week
Parmamount and HBO Max will combine eventually, more from this week
More scares are headed to DIRECTV for Spooky Season, F1 gets an audio upgrade on Apple TV, and more streaming stories you may have missed this week.
Another Friday is upon us, and with a holiday weekend coming up, many of our readers have likely had their noses to the grindstone trying to get all their ducks in a row so that, come Monday, they don’t have to worry about any lurking loose ends waiting to ruin their Tuesdays.
If you haven’t been tracking streaming news as closely throughout the week as a result, The Streamable has your back. We’ll run through our list of streaming stories you may have missed this week below, and you can browse through for updates on the combination of HBO Max, new casting announcements and trailers, and more.
Streaming stories you may have missed this week
HBO Max and Paramount+ are combining after all
Skydance CEO David Ellison has set the record straight on whether HBO Max and Paramount+ will combine now that the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is complete. Ellison revealed that the two streamers would be merged months ago, but more recent comments from Skydance streaming head Casey Bloys left open the question of whether they were really being merged, or simply being bundled.
Ellison explained at a press event on Tuesday that Paramount+ and HBO Max will be combined eventually, following a “short-term” phase as separate services that will be bundled.
“Long-term, the plan is basically to bring them together,” Ellison said. “It’ll take a period of time to do that. So, I think in the immediate [term], you will see them operated separately, with things like bundling or things that you’ll be able to see accelerated in the relatively short term. I can’t be specific about that yet today.”
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HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
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Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
DIRECTV is adding Screambox as a VOD option
On Thursday, DIRECTV announced it was adding yet another on-demand streaming service to its lineup of options. Just in time for Halloween, the horror-focused streamer Screambox is being added to DIRECTV’s lineup, bringing with it a huge list of spine-tingling hits such as “Terrifier 2.”
Dove Channel and its lineup of romantic films and series has also been added to the DIRECTV mix, giving viewers the option to add it for an additional fee. Multiple DIRECTV channel packages come with on-demand streamers; viewers who sign up to receive their plan through a Gemini device can get a free year of Netflix, for example.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
F1 races on Apple TV to add Dolby Atmos support
On Wednesday, Apple TV announced that it was giving racing fans a major upgrade when they tune into the streamer to watch Formula 1 races. Starting with the 2026 United States Grand Prix on Oct. 25, fans will be able to enjoy F1 races on Apple TV in Dolby Atmos.
The launch of Dolby Atmos support for F1 races will allow viewers to enjoy the thunderous sound of engines and the rubber hitting the road in vibrant detail. Viewers can also watch each race on Apple TV in Dolby Vision, unlocking more vibrant colors and deeper contrasts. Viewers can stream every F1 race of the season on Apple TV at no additional cost.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Pure Flix headed to public libraries
[Pure Flix] has partnered with Library Ideas in order to make its content library available in 70 libraries across the United States. Using nothing more than a library card, viewers in these areas will be able to stream family-friendly movies and TV series, including original content. Viewers will be able to watch on smart TVs, phones, and tablets.
Library Ideas has launched Pure Flix with 70 libraries, including Maricopa County (AZ), Fresno County Public Library (CA), Anderson Public Library (IN), Lake County Public Library (IN), Monroe County Library System (MI), Midpointe Library System (OH), Wayne County Public Library (OH), Mason Public Library (OH), Kokomo-Howard County Public Library (IN), and Springfield-Greene County Public Library (MO).
Renewals, pickups, and cancelations
- HBO Max has greenlit the original drama series “Crazy Rich Asians,” a sequel to the award-winning film, based on the novel series by Kevin Kwan.
- Apple TV has announced the new comedic drama series “The Choir” will debut in 2027, starring Ruth Jones and James Corden.
- “Imperfect Women” has been renewed for a second season on Apple TV.
- The Roku Channel has greenlit a new limited series “Scarlett Holmes,” focusing on a modern descendant of Sherlock Holmes and starring Lucy Hale.
- Netflix is expanding the “Bridgerton” franchise, announcing the order of a limited series following young Violet and her eventual husband, Viscount Edmund Bridgerton.
- “The Hunting Wives” has been renewed for a third season on Netflix.
- Apple TV has landed the six-episode crime drama “Dustfall,” starring Anna Torv and premiering in 2027.
- Fox Nation will launch “Houdini: Back From the Dead,” with entirely AI-generated imagery, in 2027.
- Disney+ has announced the new Marvel Television series “Zodiac” will debut on the streamer in 2028.
Casting announcements
- Prime Video is at work on an adaptation of “Things We Never Got Over,” the bestselling contemporary romance novel by Lucy Score. On Monday, Prime Video announced that Sean Teale, Sarah Jeffery, Megan Stott, Lili Simmons, Anthony Keyvan, and JoBeth Williams had been cast in the series.
- Jennifer Coolidge is returning for the second season of “The Watcher” on Netflix. She’ll join Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Margo Martindale, and Isabel Gravitt in Season 2.
Release dates, trailers, and first looks
See the trailer for ‘Blue Planet III’ on AMC+
Watch the trailer for ‘Heartland’ on Netflix
Check out the trailer for ‘All's Fair’ Season 2 on Hulu
See the trailer for ‘A Course Called Ireland’ on Paramount+
Preview Season 2 of ‘Stick’ on Apple TV
Watch the trailer for ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ Season 2 on HBO Max
Enjoy a first look at ‘The Land’ on Hulu
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See preview images from ‘The Prodigy’ on Apple TV
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