HBO Max is still going ahead with its U.K. launch, despite questions over its future as a standalone platform.
“HBO Max will launch in the U.K. & Ireland as planned,” a source tells Variety.
HBO Max is set to launch in the U.K. on March 26 with subscription plans ranging from £4.99 to £14.99 per month. It will also offer TNT Sports as a standalone or bolt-on for £30.99 per month.
A major launch has been in the works for some time for the streaming platform, which is the last of the major studio streamers to launch in the U.K. That included bringing over talent associated with some of its biggest shows as well key execs such as president of global streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery, JB Perrette and HBO chief Casey Bloys.
However on Monday Paramount Skydance confirmed it plans to combine its own proprietary streamer, Paramount+, with HBO Max into one streaming service, once Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger is complete.
Among a number of deals that have been struck are a Sky streamer bundling deal, which will include HBO Max.
All of those plans now ostensibly hang in the balance.
Among the big British HBO original series coming to the streamer are Richard Gadd’s “Half Man,” which is set to launch later this year, and the upcoming “Harry Potter” series, which is currently in the middle of shooting its first season for release next year.
Last month Perrette called the series’ launch “the streaming event of the decade.”
Other shows launching on HBO Max in the U.K. exclusively are “The Pitt” as well as all three seasons of “Euphoria” (the third season will be shared with Sky under a previous content sharing deal.)
According to Ellison, HBO the brand will continue to “operate with independence” despite the merging of the platforms.
variety.com
#HBO #Max #U.K #Launch #Ahead #Paramount #Merger
