The erstwhile HBO Max is finally getting launched across Europe next year, by parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. However, it isn’t as if the streaming service isn’t already available in some European countries.
HBO Max launched in Europe on October 26, 2021, with Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain, and Andorra being the first six European countries where the streaming service was available.
The next batch of 14 European countries received HBO Max in 2022. These countries included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Max To Get European Roll-Out
It has been revealed by WBD president of international Gerhard Zeiler during the MIPCOM (International Market of Communications Programmes) opening keynote, that Max will be rolled out across 22 countries next year, starting in the spring.
Leah Hopper Rosa, WBD head of streaming for Europe, the Middle East and Africa stated that the initial spring launch would include the Nordic and Iberian regions, as well as the Netherlands and Central and Eastern Europe.
The second wave would include France and Belgium and would begin in the summer, according to Variety.
Max in Europe is also set to include live-streamed sports content through WBD’s Eurosport network, including coverage of the tennis Grand Slam tournaments, cycling’s Tour de France and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Wait: Max or HBO Max?
After Warners Bros. merged with Discovery, a rebrand was inevitable. Max was launched as an HBO Max and Dicovery+ merger, first in the U.S. and it is currently in the process of being launched throughout other countries.
Even though the streaming service is being rolled out across Europe, the U.K., German, and Italian markets still don’t have a standalone option, unless they go with plans from Sky TV.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
