HBO Max's highly anticipated expansion to Germany, Italy, and other European territories is set for January 13, 2026. This significant launch will bring Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service to Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein on the same day, marking a pivotal moment in the company's global strategy. However, the UK launch date remains undisclosed, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news of the service's arrival in their country. With over 100 territories already covered, HBO Max is poised to become a leading player in the European streaming market.
The service's European expansion comes with a robust lineup of original content. Germany will see the release of '4 Blocks Zero,' a prequel to the gangster drama '4 Blocks,' and 'Banksters,' a heist drama based on a true story, both produced by W&B Television. Additionally, a documentary by Beetz Brothers about the theft of the 'Big Maple Leaf' gold coin from Berlin's Bode Museum is set to premiere in 2026. Jantje Friese and Baran Bo Odar, the creators of 'Dark,' will also produce a thriller series based on the dark tales of 'Struwwelpeter.'
Italy will receive a scripted show centered around the 2011 murder of Melania Rea, starring Maria Esposito. Marco Bellocchio's 'Portobello,' about Italian TV host Enzo Tortora's fight to clear his name after being wrongfully accused of mafia ties in the 1980s, will launch on February 20. The documentary 'Gina Lollobrigida: Diva Contesa' will explore the battle over the legacy of a cinema icon, while 'Saman' will delve into the struggle for freedom of a young Pakistani woman murdered by her family for refusing an arranged marriage.
HBO Max's German and Italian offerings will include local and international films through output agreements with Leonine Studios and Constantin Film, as well as German Warner Bros. Pictures productions. In Germany, 'Wunderschöner' will be available, while Italy will exclusively feature 'Nonostante,' the latest film directed by and starring Valerio Mastandrea, which opened the Orizzonti section of the 81st Venice Film Festival. In February, Daniele Barbiero's film debut, 'Squali,' starring Lorenzo Zurzolo and James Franco, will be added to the Italian library.
At launch, HBO Max will offer a diverse range of content, including 'The Pitt,' 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' 'House of the Dragon,' 'The Last of Us,' 'The White Lotus,' 'Euphoria,' 'Industry,' and the new French local original 'The Seduction.' On January 19, the prequel series 'Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' will be added to the lineup. Additionally, HBO Max will provide a selection of movies, such as 'Superman,' 'The Batman,' 'Dune,' and 'Harry Potter,' with 'Weapons' and 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' set to join the library soon. Library shows like 'Friends,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' and 'Rick and Morty,' as well as documentaries and unscripted series, will also be available.
In terms of sports, HBO Max will offer the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, which will run from February 6 to 22, across all subscription plans. The Australian Open and Roland-Garros tennis slams, as well as the Tour de France, will be available as add-ons. German and French subscribers will have access to the World Championships and World Cup winter sports events, while Italian subscribers will enjoy English FA Cup and UFC coverage.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, 'We are thrilled to bring HBO Max and its captivating stories to new countries across Europe in January. With our strongest lineup of U.S. and local HBO series, blockbuster local and international movies, and the Olympic Winter Games, it's the perfect time to make HBO Max directly accessible to subscribers. It has never been easier to enjoy the most talked-about series, hit movies, unmissable live sports, and extraordinary real-life stories.'
HBO Max's journey began in the U.S. in 2020 and has since expanded across Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, and Asia Pacific. The service, previously known as Max, will complete its European rollout in the UK and Ireland in 'early 2026,' according to WBD, which boasts 128 million streaming subscribers.
