Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is to launch its Max streaming service in 22 European countries in Spring 2024, followed by launches in France and Belgium later in the year.
WBD first launched Max in the US in May this year, combining scripted series from HBO Max with Discovery’s unscripted shows.
In Spring 2024, Max will launch in the 22 European countries that currently offer HBO Max in the Nordics, Iberia, Netherlands, and Central Eastern Europe.
The enhanced service will then launch in France and Belgium in 2024, two territories where the HBO Max service is not currently present. HBO instead has an output deal with Amazon Prime Video.
Max will stream live sport in Europe through Eurosport, whose sports rights portfolio includes Grand Slam tennis and cycling’s Grand Tours.
Full coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will also be streamed live and on demand on Max.
Max will also offer live simulcasts of WBD’s local entertainment networks in some countries.
The launches were announced by Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at WBD, and Leah Hooper Rosa, WBD head of streaming for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), at international television market Mipcom.
Within Europe, key outstanding launch territories for Max are the UK, Germany and Italy, where HBO has output deals with European pay giant Sky.
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