HBO Max's highly anticipated expansion to Germany, Italy, and other European territories is set for January 13, 2026. This marks a significant milestone for the Warner Bros. Discovery service, which will also launch in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein on the same day. However, the UK launch date remains undisclosed. HBO Max's global reach already spans over 100 territories, offering a diverse streaming library featuring content from HBO, Warner Bros., DC, and Max Originals. This expansion is particularly significant for Germany and Italy, where HBO Max will introduce a range of new original productions. From Germany, viewers can expect '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 on the horizon. In Italy, a scripted show based on the 2011 murder of Melania Rea, starring Maria Esposito, will be a highlight. Marco Bellocchio's 'Portobello,' about the fight for justice of Italian TV host Enzo Tortora, will also be available. The service will also feature documentaries like 'Gina Lollobrigida: Diva Contesa' and 'Saman,' shedding light on the struggles of a young Pakistani woman murdered by her family for refusing an arranged marriage. HBO Max will secure local and international film rights through agreements with Leonine Studios and Constantin Film, as well as German Warner Bros. Pictures productions. The Italian version will exclusively showcase 'Nonostante,' a film directed by and starring Valerio Mastandrea, which opened the Orizzonti section of the 81st Venice Film Festival. In February, Daniele Barbiero's film debut, 'Squali,' starring Lorenzo Zurzolo and James Franco, will be added to the Italian library. At launch, subscribers will have access to a wide range of 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.' On January 19, the 'Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' prequel series will be added to the lineup. The service will also offer a selection of movies, such as 'Superman,' 'The Batman,' 'Dune,' and 'Harry Potter' films, with 'Weapons' and 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' on the way. Additionally, HBO Max will provide access to sports events like the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and the Tour de France. German and French subscribers will enjoy the World Championships and World Cup winter sports, while Italian viewers will get English FA Cup and UFC coverage. JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, expressed excitement about the expansion, emphasizing the service's diverse content offerings and the ease of access for subscribers across Europe. With its successful launch in the U.S. in 2020 and subsequent expansion across Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, and Asia Pacific, HBO Max is poised for continued growth and engagement with audiences worldwide.
