WarnerMedia launches HBO Max in 15 additional European territories

WarnerMedia-owned streaming service HBO Max is now available in 61 territories after launching in 15 additional European countries today, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Christina Sulebakk

HBO Max launched in the US in May 2020. In June 2021, it became available in 39 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean and in October 2021 it arrived in Europe, launching in the Nordics, Spain and Andorra.

The 15 countries where HBO Max launched today are: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

HBO Max continues its global expansion later this year, with launches set for Turkey, Greece, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. There are also plans for further expansion to South-East Asia.

Johannes Larcher

A merger between WarnerMedia and US factual giant Discovery is currently working its way through regulators and would see HBO Max and the Discovery+ factual and reality streamer, which is also expanding around the world, come under the same umbrella.

Christina Sulebakk, general manager for HBO Max EMEA said: “From today, HBO Max is streaming in 21 European countries with Central and Eastern Europe, Portugal and the Netherlands joining the Nordics, Spain and Andorra where we launched the platform last year.

“Central and Eastern Europe is where it all began for our European business back in 1991 with our first linear channels and we’re pleased that today, more than 30 years later, we’re bringing fans in the region a completely new way to access all their favourite entertainment.”

Johannes Larcher, head of HBO Max International, said: “In under 24 months we have built a scalable streaming business present in 61 territories and counting. International is going to continue be an important part of our global growth story going forward.

“I am particularly proud that our presence in Central and Eastern Europe is further strengthened by today’s launch of HBO Max, and that we are doubling down on our strong commitment to fans, partners and employees across the region during this challenging time.”