HBO Max has confirmed its rollout in the U.K. and Ireland for March 2026, marking a significant expansion for the streamer in those markets. The announcement was made by CEO Casey Bloys during a presentation in London. This launch will provide access to HBO, Warner Bros., DC Universe content, and Max Originals, separate from the existing Sky partnership.
Announcement Details
HBO Max CEO Casey Bloys unveiled the March 2026 launch window for the U.K. and Ireland at a London presentation on Wednesday. He expressed excitement about bringing the service to these territories for the first time as a primary platform outside of Sky. Earlier that day, the streamer also confirmed launches in Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein on January 13, 2026.
Content Offerings
Viewers will gain access to a wide array of content, including HBO series, Warner Bros. Pictures films, Warner Bros. Television shows, the DC Universe, and Max Originals. Highlighted series include “The Pitt,” “It: Welcome to Derry,” “House of the Dragon,” “The Last of Us,” “The White Lotus,” and “Euphoria.” Movie selections feature “Superman,” “The Batman,” “Dune,” and the “Harry Potter” franchise. The timing aligns with the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, which HBO Max will broadcast live from February 6 to 22.
Partnership with Sky
This U.K. launch represents the first instance where HBO content will be primarily available outside Sky, due to their long-standing output deal. However, an expanded agreement from last year ensures HBO programming remains free on Sky post-launch. During a Content London panel, Sky executive director of scripted originals Meghan Lyvers stated that the company's strategy remains unchanged, describing it as “business as usual.”