HBO Max's highly anticipated expansion to Germany, Italy, and other European territories is set for January 13, 2026, according to recent news. This significant milestone will see the Warner Bros. Discovery service debut in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein on the same day, marking a pivotal moment in the platform's global growth. However, the UK launch date remains undisclosed, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further updates.
HBO Max's current reach already spans over 100 territories, offering a diverse streaming library featuring content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, the DC Universe, and Max Originals. With Germany and Italy as key markets, Warner Bros. Discovery is strategically introducing a range of new original productions. These include '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,' bringing these grim stories to life. From Italy, a scripted show centered around the 2011 murder of Melania Rea, starring Maria Esposito, is in the works. Marco Bellocchio's 'Portobello,' about Italian TV host Enzo Tortora's fight for innocence, will launch on February 20.
The platform's documentary lineup includes 'Gina Lollobrigida: Diva Contesa,' a family melodrama, and 'Saman,' a story of a young Pakistani woman's struggle for freedom. HBO Max will also showcase local and international films through output agreements with Leonine Studios and Constantin Film, as well as German Warner Bros. Pictures productions. Italian subscribers will have exclusive access to 'Nonostante,' directed by and starring Valerio Mastandrea, which opened the Orizzonti section of the 81st Venice Film Festival. Daniele Barbiero's film debut, 'Squali,' starring Lorenzo Zurzolo and James Franco, will be added in February.
At launch, HBO Max will offer a diverse selection of popular series and movies, including 'The Pitt,' 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' 'House of the Dragon,' 'The Last of Us,' 'The White Lotus,' 'Euphoria,' 'Industry,' and the French local original 'The Seduction.' On January 19, the 'Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' prequel series will be added to the lineup.
Furthermore, HBO Max will provide a range of sports coverage, including the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, the Australian Open, Roland-Garros tennis slams, and the Tour de France. German and French subscribers will have access to 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 Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, 'We are thrilled to bring HBO Max and its captivating stories to new European countries 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. Enjoying the most talked-about series, hit movies, live sports, and real-life stories has never been easier.'
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 Warner Bros. Discovery, which boasts 128 million streaming subscribers.
