Sky has confirmed details of a new distribution arrangement with Warner Bros. Discovery that will see the Max streaming service launch on the platform in 2026.
Max is the streaming home for HBO’s premium content in the US and most worldwide territories, but the service has yet to launch in the UK and Ireland due to Sky’s long-term deal which sees most shows end up on Sky Atlantic.
That deal ends at the end of 2025, paving the way for Max to launch – a contentious issue that has seen Sky at odds with Warner Bros. in recent months.
Now the pair have reached an agreement allowing Sky and Now customers access to Max “at no extra cost” when it launches at the start of 2026, while in the meantime Sky Atlantic will continue to remain home to HBO programming.
Sky CEO Dana Strong said: “This new partnership provides an expanded range of content for our customers to enjoy Warner Bros. Discovery’s popular storytelling through Max.
“The combination of content from our partners, alongside our slate of Sky Originals, and Sky’s leading aggregation of the UK and Ireland’s best content apps gives us an unrivalled entertainment proposition and an exceptional line-up of the world’s best shows.”
Andrew Georgiou, President of WBD UK & Ireland, added: “Today’s announcement is hugely exciting for everyone who loves award-winning scripted entertainment and movies.
“Arriving in early 2026, the market-wide launch of Max in the U.K & Ireland is a significant step in its global roll-out, and will be the place where audiences find incredible new shows, including the future Harry Potter series from HBO.
“Our new agreement will continue Warner Bros. Discovery’s long-standing collaboration with Sky and deepen our relationship across distribution and now the bundling of Max.
“This will enable Max immediately at launch to be available to millions of passionate video subscribers, and separately be available to the more than 20 million other broadband households in the territories through Max direct to consumer and other partnerships.”
The two parties have also agreed terms for continued carriage of Turner Kids channels including Cartoon Network and Boomerang “for years to come”.
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