Sony may buy HBO Max, Harry Potter, DC Universe, and Game of Thrones from Warner Bros

Warner Bros. Discovery intends to split itself into two entities by mid-2026; one WBD Global Networks that will handle traditional cable programming of sports, news, and entertainment, and the second being WBD Streaming and Studios, which controls HBO, TV series, and movie production, along with the company's gaming division and assets.

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Now, rumors are circulating that Sony is eyeing an acquisition of the second entity. If true, this would considerably bolster the company's services and IPs under its umbrella, and make Sony more competitive on the IP front with the likes of Microsoft. If such an acquisition went through, Sony would own some of the biggest properties in entertainment, such as the DC universe, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Mortal Kombat.

The news comes from the website SEScoops, which claims that sources have informed the publication of Sony's consideration to purchase WBD Streaming and Studios, contingent upon the separation of WBD's streaming, studio, and gaming assets from its cable networks.

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It should be noted that this information from SEScoops should be taken with a grain of salt, as nothing has been confirmed yet. Moreover, judging by the leaked information, Sony is only interested if Warner Bros. Discovery splits into two entities, which means the split has to happen before Sony can sign a deal.

That split is slated to happen sometime next year, but may not be announced publicly until 2027. So, it will still be a few years before any of this materializes. Currently, Warner Bros. Games is undergoing a restructuring after colossal failures such as Kill the Justice League, Gotham Knights, and MultiVersus.

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There was also the closure of the iconic studio Monolith Productions, the developers of Middle-Earth: Shadow of War/Mordor games, and the Nemesis System. Monolith was working on a Wonder Woman game that used an inverted Nemesis System, but that game was canceled along with the closure of Monolith.

It's safe to say the Warner Bros. Games division of the company is in shambles, hence the new restructuring plan that focuses on developing new games on established IPs such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC, and Mortal Kombat.

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While these may be rumors, they come on the heels of a report from Variety that confirmed the restructuring at Warner Bros. Discovery is going to come without any layoffs, and that focus has already begun on optimizing WB Games for development, production, and leadership roles.

As for leadership, Warner Bros Games Montréal studio head Yves Lachance has been promoted to senior vice president, development, overseeing the development teams working on Harry Potter and "Game of Thrones" games. NetherRealm studio head Shaun Himmerick has been promoted to senior vice president, development, overseeing the "Mortal Kombat" and DC games, and Warner Bros.

Games New York studio chief Steven Flenory has been promoted to senior vice president, central tech & services, overseeing game and publishing technology, customer service, quality assurance and user research. All of the aforementioned names will report to J.B. Perrette, Warner Bros Discovery's CEO of global streaming and games.