WarnerMedia’s HBO Max is to launch in 27 territories during the initial phase of its European roll out, debuting first in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain, and Andorra on 26th October.
The streamer will then launch in Central and Eastern Europe and Portugal in 2022, followed by seven additional countries including the Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
However, WarnerMedia is currently unable to launch the service in key markets such as France, the UK, Germany and Italy because of long-standing overall deals that see HBO content head to third parties.
Sky struck a five year deal with HBO in 2019, while Orange in France struck a similar deal in 2017.
HBO Max has also confirmed that Warner Bros. movies will launch on HBO Max just 45 days after theatrical release starting this year in the Nordics, and from next year in Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece, Iceland and Central and Eastern Europe.
HBO Max offers content from WarnerMedia brands Warner Bros., HBO, Max Originals, DC, and Cartoon Network.
The platform launched in the United States in May 2020 and introduced a lower-priced, advertising-supported tier in June 2021. In June, HBO Max began its global rollout launching in 39 markets across Latin America and the Caribbean
Its catalogue includes Warner Bros. titles include Harry Potter, Godzilla vs. Kong, Dunkirk, The Lord of the Rings, The Shining and A Clockwork Orange. DC movies include The Joker, Wonder Woman 1984, Aquaman, Batman v Superman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. HBO originals include Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Succession, Scenes from A Marriage, The Undoing, Sex and the City and Euphoria, while hit Max Originals include The Flight Attendant, Gossip Girl, Raised by Wolves and Friends: The Reunion.
HBO Max offer a yearly subscription giving 12-months access for the price of eight, bringing the monthly cost down to approximately €5.99 in Spain and Finland or €69.99.
Johannes Larcher, Head of HBO Max International said : “Soon HBO Max will have lit up in 27 territories in Europe, and 67 around the world – and we’re not finished yet, with much more to come as we aspire to be present in 190 territories by 2026.”
HBO Max replaces existing HBO-branded streaming services in 20 territories in the Nordics, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern Europe and will be available to both new customers as well as existing customers, billed either directly or via eligible partners.
“We have been entertaining fans in Europe since our first HBO TV channel launched in Hungary back in 1991 – and have been streaming on the continent for more than a decade with our HBO branded streaming services. HBO Max represents the arrival of a new service that will take this to another level, offering an enhanced viewing experience and a much broader content line-up of the best entertainment for all the family at a very attractive price point,” said Christina Sulebakk, General Manager, HBO Max EMEA.
HBO Max will be available to watch on a range of devices through various distribution partners and on desktop via HBOMax.com.
IBC Digital provides industry insight and the opportunity to engage with exhibitors in the run up to, and during, IBC2021. Register here
No comments yet