HBO Max Set to Launch in Germany, Italy, and Other Countries in 2026
HBO Max will officially launch in Germany and Italy on January 13, 2026, marking a significant expansion for the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service. On the same day, it will also introduce its offerings in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. However, the timeline for a UK launch remains unannounced.
Currently available in over 100 territories, HBO Max features a diverse range of streaming content, including titles from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, the DC Universe, and Max Originals.
Germany and Italy are anticipated to be key markets for HBO Max’s growth. To complement the launches, the service will debut several original productions, including 4 Blocks Zero, a prequel to the gangster drama 4 Blocks, and Banksters, a heist drama based on true events, both produced by W&B Television.
Additionally, viewers can expect a documentary by the Beetz Brothers detailing the infamous theft of the ‘Big Maple Leaf’ gold coin from Berlin’s Bode Museum. Creators Jantje Friese and Baran Bo Odar, known for Dark, will also produce a thriller series inspired by the dark tales of ‘Struwwelpeter’.
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From Italy, the service will feature a scripted series focused on the 2011 murder of Melania Rea, starring Maria Esposito. Additionally, Marco Bellocchio’s Portobello, portraying TV host Enzo Tortora’s struggle to clear his name after being falsely implicated in mafia activities in the 1980s, is set for release on February 20.
The documentary lineup will include Gina Lollobrigida: Diva Contesa, examining the legacy of the iconic actress and family melodrama, alongside Saman, which tells the tragic story of a young Pakistani woman murdered by her family for rejecting an arranged marriage.
In Germany, HBO Max will showcase local and international films through partnerships with Leonine Studios and Constantin Film, as well as productions from German Warner Bros. Pictures such as Wunderschöner. In Italy, the service will have exclusive rights to Nonostante, the latest film directed by Valerio Mastandrea, which premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival. Daniele Barbiero’s film debut, Squali, featuring Lorenzo Zurzolo and James Franco, will also be available in February.
Upon launch, subscribers will have access to popular series including The Pitt, IT: Welcome to Derry, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, Industry, and the new French original, The Seduction. A prequel series to Game of Thrones, titled Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will be added on January 19.
In terms of film offerings, HBO Max will provide access to titles such as Superman, The Batman, Dune, and the Harry Potter series, with upcoming additions like Weapons and The Conjuring: Last Rites. The catalog will also feature popular shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty, as well as various documentaries and unscripted series.
On the sports front, HBO Max will broadcast the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina from February 6-22 across all its subscription plans. Additional sporting events such as the Australian Open and Roland-Garros tennis tournaments will be available as add-ons, along with the Tour de France. Viewers in Germany and France can access World Championships and Winter Cup events, while Italian subscribers will get coverage of the English FA Cup and UFC events.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, expressed excitement regarding the launches in Europe. “We are thrilled to bring HBO Max and the stories that stick with you to new countries across Europe this January. With our strongest line-up of U.S. and local HBO series yet, blockbuster local and international movies, and the Olympic Winter Games, it is the perfect time to make HBO Max available directly to subscribers. It has never been easier to enjoy the most talked-about series, hit movies, unmissable live sports, and extraordinary real-life stories.”
Since its initial launch in the U.S. in 2020, HBO Max has expanded into various regions, including Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, and Asia Pacific. The service, temporarily referred to as Max, is set to complete its rollout in the UK and Ireland in early 2026. Currently, WBD reports that HBO Max has 128 million streaming subscribers.
