Bell Media, WBD ink multi-year extension to licensing pact for HBO, Max titles

Hit drama Succession is included in the deal

Toronto-based broadcasting group Bell Media has extended its big-money licensing pact with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), giving it exclusive Canadian rights to HBO originals, Max originals, the DC universe, WBD-owned library content and more across both its linear and streaming platforms.

Under the multi-year extension, Bell Media-owned streamer Crave, which has more than three million subscribers, will continue to exclusively carry original content from HBO and newly rebranded streamer Max. In addition, the Canadian broadcaster’s flagship network CTV, as well as its suite of pay TV channels, will have access to content from across WBD’s content portfolio.

The companies said the long-term deal will include the forthcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation as well as Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Nights, The Sympathizer, new True Detective instalment Night Country and upcoming DC drama The Penguin, in addition to series like Succession. The pact also covers new WBD cable series and pay and post-pay window rights for Warner Bros films, plus classic titles such as The Big Bang Theory and Friends.

French-language rights to HBO and Max originals are also covered by the agreement.

David Decker, president of content sales at WBD, said: “Bell Media is one of our most important and long-standing partners. This new multi-year deal will ensure Canadians have full and easy access to our fan-favourite shows and movies and the spectacular new programming coming from HBO and Max. All of us at WBD are excited to deepen our relationship with Bell Media and look forward to exciting viewers in Canada for years to come.”

The announcement ends speculation – for the next few years at least – that WBD will stop licensing its content to Bell Media and launch Max direct in the Canadian market. It comes at a price for Bell, however, with the deal rumoured to be one of WBD’s most lucrative licensing pacts globally.

With Bell Media extending its licensing deal, attention will now turn to whether WBD will renew its agreement with UK pay TV operator Sky, or opt to launch Max direct. Most recently, in September, WBD’s president of international Gerhard Zeiler said WBD would “want to have our own streaming service in the UK outside of Discovery+.