HBO Max to Launch in U.K. and Ireland in March 2026

HBO Max has officially announced its debut in the United Kingdom and Ireland, scheduled for March 2026. The streaming services CEO, Casey Bloys, revealed the launch timeframe during a presentation in London, expressing enthusiasm for the expansion.

Earlier, HBO Max confirmed it would roll out in Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein on January 13, 2026. For the first time in these regions, audiences will be able to access content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, the DC Universe, and Max Originals on a single platform.

Popular series available on HBO Max include The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, Euphoria, It: Welcome to Derry, and The Pitt. Major movie titles feature Superman, The Batman, Dune, and the Harry Potter films.

The U.K. launch will coincide with coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which will stream live on HBO Max from February 6 to 22. This introduction marks the first occasion where HBO content in the U.K. will be primarily available outside of Sky, although the existing agreement ensures HBO shows will remain accessible on Sky even after the streaming launch.

At a panel during Content London, Skys executive director of scripted originals, Meghan Lyvers, emphasized that the companys approach will remain unchanged despite the arrival of HBO Max, describing the strategy as business as usual.

Author: Riley Thompson