The Walt Disney Company vs Warner Bros. Discovery

The Walt Disney Company Names Karandeep Anand to Newly Created Role of Chief Technology Officer

The Walt Disney Company Names Karandeep Anand to Newly Created Role of Chief Technology Officer (September 18, 2026). Also: Adam Smith Named Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment (September 17, 2026).

The Walt Disney Company Names Karandeep Anand To Newly Created Role Of Chief Technology Officer

Disney announced the appointment of Karandeep Anand as its first Chief Technology Officer, a newly created role, signaling a strategic focus on technology and innovation.

InterDigital Sues Disney for $101.7M in HDR Patent Dispute

InterDigital has escalated its patent dispute with Disney over HDR technology, filing a lawsuit at the Munich Regional Court seeking €101.7 million in damages. The claim covers Disney Plus's unlicensed use of HDR technology from March 2020 to the initial court ruling in late 2025, affecting users in Germany and 19 other European countries. The dispute began in November 2025 when InterDigital obtained an injunction, leading Disney to remove Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D content, and later, under a UPC ruling in July 2026, to drop 4K UHD and HDR support. In September 2026, another ruling forced the removal of Google Cast functionality in Germany and the Netherlands. Disney has not yet responded, but InterDigital aims for a long-term licensing agreement. Disney had offered premium subscribers a special termination right in August 2026 following the quality downgrades.

• InterDigital is suing Disney for €101.7 million in damages for HDR patent infringement.
• The claim covers HDR usage by Disney Plus from March 2020 to the end of 2025.
• Disney Plus removed Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3D films after an injunction in November 2025.

HBO Max now bookable via Deutsche Telekom MagentaTV

Deutsche Telekom now offers HBO Max as an add-on to its MagentaTV platform. Customers can choose from six subscription options, ranging from one month to twelve months, with a price advantage for the annual plan. The launch coincides with the release of the German original production '4 Blocks Zero' on HBO Max. Telekom's TV chief Arnim Butzen highlighted the addition of a major streaming service to MagentaTV's lineup, while Matthias Heinze, SVP Commercial at Warner Bros. Discovery GSA, emphasized the partnership's goal to make premium streaming more accessible. HBO Max has been available in Germany since the beginning of the year and combines content from HBO, Warner Bros., DC Universe, and Discovery.

• Deutsche Telekom offers HBO Max as a bookable add-on via MagentaTV.
• Six subscription options are available, ranging from one to twelve months.
• The annual subscription includes a price advantage.

Paramount Agrees to Keep Pluto TV Running in Merger Deal

As part of the consent decree for the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, a group of state attorneys general secured a requirement that the combined company, often called 'ParaBros', must continue operating a free, ad-supported streaming service under the name Pluto TV or a comparable successor brand for at least five years. The agreement also stipulates that service and quality standards must not fall below current levels. Other conditions include boosting U.S. production, creating an editorial independence board for CBS News and CNN, and keeping cable carriage negotiations separate. Pluto TV is currently the only free, ad-supported service in either company's portfolio, with usage around 1% of U.S. TV viewing. The goal is to preserve a low-cost viewing option for consumers.

• Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to a consent decree with 12 state attorneys general.
• The combined company must keep operating a free ad-supported service named Pluto TV or a comparable successor for five years.
• Service and quality standards must be at least equal to those at the time the decree takes effect.

Paramount In Talks to Settle Multistate Lawsuit for Warner Deal

Paramount has resolved major hurdles to its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by settling antitrust lawsuits with 12 state attorneys general, including California. The settlement, pending court approval, mandates an additional $300 million annual investment in U.S. film production over five years, maintaining California operations, and releasing at least 30 films annually in theaters for the first two years (32 for the following three). A News Editorial Independence Board, composed exclusively of journalists, will oversee CNN and CBS News, with penalties for non-compliance including asset divestiture. The Writers Guild will drop its lawsuit following a $17.5 million payment to a health fund. The deal must close by October 1 to avoid a $7 million daily ticking fee. Both the DOJ and EU have approved, with EU requiring exit from a European film distribution joint venture.

• Paramount settled antitrust lawsuits with 12 state attorneys general, including California, clearing a major obstacle to its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Settlement requires $300 million extra annual U.S. film production investment, maintaining California operations, and releasing 30 films/year for two years then 32 for three years.
• An all-journalist News Editorial Independence Board will oversee CNN and CBS News, with penalties including asset divestiture.