HBO Max will finally launch in the UK and Ireland on Thursday 26 March, bringing together content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals in a single direct-to-consumer service.
The rollout marks the first time audiences in the two markets will be able to access the full HBO Max proposition, following years in which HBO programming has been distributed primarily through third-party platforms. Most notably Sky, through its Sky Atlantic channel, and is a launch partner.
The Warner Bros. Discovery service is already available in more than 110 territories worldwide.
At launch, HBO Max will also become the new streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK, giving subscribers access to live sport alongside entertainment programming. Discovery+ will continue to carry TNT Sports until the switch completes on 26 March.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said the launch brings together the company’s stories and brands “in one place” for the first time in the two markets, while Andrew Georgiou, President and Managing Director for Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland, described HBO Max as a “significant moment” for viewers, combining flagship series, blockbuster movies and premium sport in a single destination.
HBO Max’s UK and Ireland debut will be anchored by a wide range of flagship series and film franchises. The award-winning Max Original The Pitt will be available in full from day one, marking its first release in the UK and Ireland.
The service will also be the exclusive home of all seasons of Euphoria ahead of the arrival of its third season in April, alongside returning HBO titles such as House of the Dragon and new DC Studios series Lanterns, based on Green Lantern, due to premiere in summer 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery has also confirmed that the forthcoming Harry Potter television series will stream on HBO Max.
Library programming will include series such as Succession, Friends, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones.
In movies, HBO Max will carry a slate that includes Superman, One Battle After Another, Sinners, A Minecraft Movie and Dune: Part One, alongside the full Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings film franchises.
From launch, UK subscribers will be able to access TNT Sports through HBO Max, either as a standalone subscription or alongside selected entertainment plans. Coverage includes Premier League football, the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, Gallagher PREM Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, UFC, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis, Grand Tour cycling and the World Snooker Tour.
Warner Bros. Discovery says the TNT Sports price will remain unchanged at £30.99 per month, with in-app features designed to give fans greater control over how they watch live events. In March and early April, the service will carry live Gallagher PREM Rugby, FA Cup fixtures and Champions League quarter-finals.
HBO Max will be available direct-to-consumer via hbomax.com, as well as through a range of distribution partners. In the UK and Ireland, which in addition to Sky also includes Prime Video.
The platform will be supported across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming devices, smartphones, tablets and games consoles. Supported platforms include Android, iOS, Fire TV, LG, Samsung, PlayStation, Roku, Virgin TV and Xbox.
In the UK, HBO Max will launch with four monthly entertainment plans, starting at £4.99 per month for Basic with Ads. Viewers can access the full HBO Max entertainment line-up, including recently released movies, from £5.99 per month. Higher tiers include Standard at £9.99 per month and Premium at £14.99 per month, offering additional streams, downloads and 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos where available.
In Ireland, prices start at €5.99 per month for Basic with Ads, rising to €15.99 per month for the Premium tier.
Subscribers will be able to create up to five personalised profiles, receive tailored recommendations and, depending on plan, download content for offline viewing. Pre-registration on app stores opens on 12 March.
The UK and Ireland launch completes HBO Max’s European rollout and represents a major strategic shift for Warner Bros. Discovery, consolidating premium entertainment and live sport into a single branded service.
Source: https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2026/02/09/hbo-max-to-launch-in-the-uk-and-ireland-on-26-march/
