International HBO Max News Thread

[Checkerboard]

There are only so many names they can come up with. HBO Discovery? WBD? Discovery Max? HBO+?

 

[Markus Nelis]

Most names are weird to say. I think even they try to figure it out which one to use. Warner Bros Discovery+ would make the most sense right now. At least I think so,

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Warner Bros. Discovery has halted the global expansion of HBO Max, they're now prioritising combining HBO Max's and Discovery+'s content libraries into a new unnamed service. HBO Max was due to launch in France in 2023, but it will have the combined service instead.

Exclusive: WBD plans combined streamer for France, as HBO Max roll-out ends - TBI Vision

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is to launch its new combined streaming service in France, with the media giant confirming to TBI that its global roll-out of HBO Max has ended. There is no launch date for the as-yet-unnamed streamer, which will combine thousands of hours of HBO Max and Discovery+...

tbivision.com

So basically, Warner Bros. Discovery is doing what Disney has been doing recently when they launched Star as an overseas version of Hulu barring third party content and ads as well as what Paramount is planning to do in some European countries with Comcast by launching Sky Showtime instead of both Paramount+ and Peacock. Well, I'm not really sure about this decision if I'm being honest.

Dutch reality TV series The Traitors is getting a Spanish version on HBO Max Spain.

News round-up: HBO Max Spain seeks ‘The Traitors’; WBD & AMC call ‘Code 1’; BBC orders ‘That’s My Jam’ - TBI Vision

HBO Max Spain seeks ‘The Traitors’ HBO Max has ordered a local adaptation of psychological adventure format The Traitors for Spain. The eight-part series is being produced by Gestmusic (Banijay Iberia), where it will play locally as Traitors España, hosted by actor and director Sergio...

tbivision.com

 

[RegularCapital]

French Pay TV provider Canal+ are in talks to acquire Orange Cinema Series. OCS airs HBO Originals so buying the channel may give Canal+ leverage in future HBO Max (or whatever the merged HBO Max/Discovery+ streamer will be) distribution negotiations.

Canal Plus in talks to acquire Orange Cinema Series

Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group is reported to be in advanced discussions to acquire the film and pay-TV divisions of Orange.

www.broadbandtvnews.com

Amazon Prime Video Signs Deal With Warner Bros Discovery, To Premiere HBO Max Originals In India.

Amazon Prime Video Signs Deal With Warner Bros Discovery, To Premiere HBO Max Originals In India

Amazon Prime Video announced a collaboration with Warner Bros and a slate of eleven HBO Max Original series and ten HBO Max original features will premiere in India soon.

www.forbes.com

 

[DogBoneController]

HBO Max Europe's originals team is being laid off.

HBO Max Europe Originals Team Face Layoffs At Warner Bros Discovery, With Final Productions Set To Be Licensed — “It Feels Like The End Of An Era,” Say Producers

HBO Europe’s originals team looks to be facing its end as Warner Bros Discovery seeks savings.

deadline.com

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Here's what's coming to HBO Max Portugal next month.

Destaques de agosto 2022 na HBO Max Portugal

Preparem-se para a maratona.

pt.ign.com

 

[flaboyblast]

Infinity Train was removed from HBO Max CEE.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

British Pretty Little Liars fans aren't happy with Original Sin being currently unavailable in the country due to HBO Max not available there at the moment.

Pretty Little Liars fandom frustrated over Original Sin UK release

After the release of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin in the US, British fans are frustrated that a UK release has not been announced.

www.hitc.com

 

[Francisque]

Most names are weird to say. I think even they try to figure it out which one to use. Warner Bros Discovery+ would make the most sense right now. At least I think so,

I sometimes wish this wasn't so much a 50/50% merger, but there's so much "company" egos at play; I mean, Warner Bros as the name of the company alone would have sufficed

WBD+ sounds quite ridiculous

Warner Bros Max alone would be better, without Discovery

 

[Beast of Beef]

I sometimes wish this wasn't so much a 50/50% merger, but there's so much "company" egos at play; I mean, Warner Bros as the name of the company alone would have sufficed

WBD+ sounds quite ridiculous

Warner Bros Max alone would be better, without Discovery

I think Warner max is good. Having the “bros” in there just makes it harder to say. But full name wbd+… yeah not so good.

 

[Francisque]

O0h yeah indeed, Warner Max is much better, what was I thinking lol

 

[Markus Nelis]

I actually changed my mind. Warner Discovery seems a lot better. Gives both acknowledgment.

 

[Beast of Beef]

I actually changed my mind. Warner Discovery seems a lot better. Gives both acknowledgment.

I think the “max“ name has cemented it’s place and is recognizable, so I think discovery should keep it.

 

[Francisque]

I think Markus meant the name of the company.

It's fine, I realize Warner Discovery as the name of the company can sound ok at first, but still to me it sounds like a clumsy compromise which has to adjusted soon, and will probably be sorted out soon.

Especially clumsy when the company has to promote itself! Warner (Bros) would've sufficed, also easier to market with OTT services and the likes.

Warner Max would sound a lot
more comprehensive, inclusive than HBO Max for me.

As long as the Discovery are still in place, and it's treated as an important asset of a WB company, who cares?
Nicer sounding name, easier to target to, more globally renowned brand too, Discovery doesn't say much,especially in certain countries.

I mean, in Italy the FTA channels don't have the Discovery name, they had to show that on the DOG and in cross promotions to give it a boost

 

[DogBoneController]

HBO Max's India launch has been indefinitely shelved.

Warner Bros Discovery puts HBO Max India launch on indefinite hold

India content head Saugata Mukherjee quits, originals plan dropped by the company.

m.economictimes.com

 

[JaredCap43™]

(Not sure if this should be in HBO Max or Paramount+ thread, but) Minx (an HBO Max Original) is being added to Paramount+ in the UK next Wednesday.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Spanish survival reality show El Puente (known as The Bridge for the British and Australian versions) is getting a Hungarian version on HBO Max Central Europe.

HBO Max Builds ‘The Bridge’ In Hungary; eOne Canada Hire; ‘Blackport’ Buyers; Ukraine Film Grant Recipients; ‘Teletubbies’ YouTube Series; Uncork’d Acquisitions (Exclusive) — Global Briefs

HBO Max To Build ‘The Bridge’ In Hungary HBO Max’s Hungarian arm will run a local version of Banijay survival format The Bridge. The format tasks bringing contestants together to build a 250-metre-…

deadline.com

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Three months ago, the subscription prices for the Nordic, Spanish, Portuguese and Bulgarian versions were increased for the first time since launch.

HBO Max raises prices in the Nordics, Iberia, and Bulgaria

HBO Max is putting up the price of a monthly subscription, the first time it has raised prices since launch.

www.broadbandtvnews.com

30/09: HBO Max Latin America's rebrand as Max has been postponed until next year.

Warner Bros Discovery to push launch of streamer Max in Latin America to 2024

Warner Bros Discovery will delay the launch of its Max streaming platform in Latin America until the first quarter of 2024.

www.c21media.net

13/10: The streaming service will become available in Benelux next year but will go by HBO Max than by Max due to the Dutch broadcaster Omroep MAX.

Dutch channel MAX means in the Benelux it’s still HBO Max

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) streaming service Max will keep the name HBO Max when it launches in the Benelux region next year.

www.broadbandtvnews.com

28/10: As covered last week on the main thread, Max's European rolllout will begin next year.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max Details 2024 European Rollout Plans

The conglomerate will bow the streamer in 22 European territories next year, top executives told MIPCOM in Cannes.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

04/11: Warner Bros. Discovery UK and Ireland president Andrew Georgiou has confirmed that TNT Sports is part of the forthcoming British version of Max that will launch once the deal with Sky expires in 2025.
WBD’s Andrew Georgiou says ‘eventual’ Max UK launch part of thinking around TNT Sports
11/11: HBO Max Central and Eastern Europe (soon to be Max Central and Eastern Europe) has acquired the limited series I Know Your Soul from Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić.

HBO Max Acquires Venice-Premiering Drama Series ‘I Know Your Soul,’ From Oscar Nominee Jasmila Zbanic (EXCLUSIVE)

The streamer acquired Central and Eastern Europe rights to the series from the award-winning director, who also helmed 'The Last of Us.'

variety.com

24/11: Max Poland will launch next year.

2024 launch for Max in Poland

The streaming service Max will make its debut in Poland next year.

www.broadbandtvnews.com

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Max Spain will become available to Vodafone subscribers in the country during this spring.
Vodafone España to add Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max to TV offering from next spring
25/01: HBO Max Latin America and Caribbean will become Max in the end of February.

HBO Max’s Conversion to Max to Hit Latin America, Caribbean in February

HBO Max will be converted to Max in all 39 territories where the service is available in Latin America and the Caribbean on Feb. 27.

variety.com

27/02: Max is coming to the UK in two years' time once the Sky deal is over.

HBO Max Finally Confirms UK Launch - After Sky Deal Ends | Cord Busters

Warner Bros. Discovery confirms Max streaming service to launch in the UK by 2026, bringing HBO, Warner Bros., and Discovery content together

www.cordbusters.co.uk

21/03: New original content have been confirmed for Max France when the streaming service launches in the country during this summer.

Warner Bros. Discovery unveils slate of French originals ahead of Max launch in France

Studio announces details of three French drama originals at Series Mania.

www.screendaily.com

 

[Markus Nelis]

Via X's HBO Max Nordic account: Max is coming to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland May 21.