HBO Max on sky ?

[Timelord2018]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

@Laggamer20xx 

As mentioned in the story which @Timelord2018 linked to, Max cannot land in several European Sky territories, including the UK, until the exclusive deal to distribute HBO content into Sky Atlantic expires.

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Also i can't see the Adult Swim deal being renewed when it's up not just because of Max launching in the UK in 2026 but also because of cutbacks at Ch4 

Will be interesting to see if or how sell upcoming Max Originals in 2024 and 2025 specifically shows based on IP , they wouldn't be on the UK service in 2026 unless they are sold non exclusively.

Interesting Discovery+ will have a new  crime drama Sherlock & Daughter later this year 

https://advanced-television.com/2024/02/16/sherlock-daughter-coming-to-discovery/

[Laggamer20xx]

I'd expect the HBO Max Version of Ben 10 to come to E4 As part of Adult Swim. Yes there is a different version to british. For example...

 Why is Ben pulling that normandy expression like he pulled a norman price and what is he looking at?

Who is that and why is it so drumming with the numtums? (I bet numtums won't be available on HBO Max UK and instead on BBC's new "U" Service)

Or ITVX could grow, unlocking the entire ITV Back Catalog, the J. Rank films plus some WBD content including the HBO Max Version of Ben 10.

[Laggamer20xx]

When HBO Max hits britain I swear I'm gonna blast Rock DJ by Robbie Williams At full volume (Get it? https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoExamples/PokemonTheSeriesXY) And bring down DA HOUSE!!!!!!

[TonyJ42]

This is TERRIBLE... Let us have MAX  in the UK its almost like WB WANT people to pirate their material!!!!

[MarkGoldsmith]

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@TonyJ42 wrote:

This is TERRIBLE... Let us have MAX  in the UK its almost like WB WANT people to pirate their material!!!!

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The current plans are it will launch in 2026 in the UK.

It can't launch yet as they would barely have any shows available on it due to existing licensing rights WDB have already sold for its programming in the UK. 

They were the ones that agreed a long term rights agreement with Sky for their big shows essentially preventing them launching their own streaming platform in key global markets.

Be interesting if plans change by 2026, I guess the uptake in markets where they can launch in 2025 will be a key indicator whether they believe they will be able to maximise their profit by launching Max or by continuing to sell the rights to their own shows to other broadcasters. With the streaming market already being quite saturated globally rolling out HBO Max globally now they may struggle to get traction.

WDB are currently a mess, the merger cost them a fortune, they have numerous streaming platforms globally (including ownership of multiple platforms in the same markets) with no clear plan how to consolidate them and it may end up getting worse for them as they are due to lose the big NBA TV rights in the US that they have held for yonks which will drastically reduce the value and profitability of their main channels.

[Timelord2018]

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@MarkGoldsmith wrote:

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@TonyJ42 wrote:

This is TERRIBLE... Let us have MAX  in the UK its almost like WB WANT people to pirate their material!!!!

---

The current plans are it will launch in 2026 in the UK.

It can't launch yet as they would barely have any shows available on it due to existing licensing rights WDB have already sold for its programming in the UK. 

They were the ones that agreed a long term rights agreement with Sky for their big shows essentially preventing them launching their own streaming platform in key global markets.

Be interesting if plans change by 2026, I guess the uptake in markets where they can launch in 2025 will be a key indicator whether they believe they will be able to maximise their profit by launching Max or by continuing to sell the rights to their own shows to other broadcasters. With the streaming market already being quite saturated globally rolling out HBO Max globally now they may struggle to get traction.

WDB are currently a mess, the merger cost them a fortune, they have numerous streaming platforms globally (including ownership of multiple platforms in the same markets) with no clear plan how to consolidate them and it may end up getting worse for them as they are due to lose the big NBA TV rights in the US that they have held for yonks which will drastically reduce the value and profitability of their main channels.

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That's what Max is though includes Discovery+ content and Sports Add On

https://press.wbd.com/ca/media-release/max-now-live-and-available-stream-europe?language_content_ent...

It will be the only Place to Watch the Olympics in Europe Where its Available 

They seem pretty clear about launching in UK, Germany and Italy 

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2024/05/20/zeiler-wbd-needs-to-launch-max-in-sky-markets/#close-moda...

Of course the longest running Max Original 'Hacks' is distributed by Comcast's NBC Universal outside of Max markets, Sky probably regret not acquiring that as its been renewed for a 4th season.

I don't think Discovery+ has much long term future.

[TimmyBGood]

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@TonyJ42 wrote:

its almost like WB WANT people to pirate their material!!!!

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Worth noting that the current executives of WBD are not the ones who gave Sky Group a long term exclusive contract for HBO content: that was several mergers ago.

[MarkGoldsmith]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

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@TonyJ42 wrote:

its almost like WB WANT people to pirate their material!!!!

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Worth noting that the current executives of WBD are not the ones who gave Sky Group a long term exclusive contract for HBO content: that was several mergers ago.

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And I wouldn't be surprised to see more change at the executive level over the next 12 months at WBD. I suspect losing the prestigious NBA rights may just force them to make another change at the CEO level, and potentially make them change direction yet again.

[Padam_Padam]

We love Max in our household. Hacks is brilliant, so pleased it's greenlit for season 4. We watched the Lady GaGa Chromatica Ball live concert film last night in 4K Dolby Vision & Atmos. Absolutely astonishing picture & sound quality. Superb.