logo
HBO Max expands global footprint with July launch in 12 new countries

HBO Max expands global footprint with July launch in 12 new countries

Broadcast Pro11-06-2025

HBO Max's global rollout builds on its earlier 2025 launches in Australia and Türkiye.
Warner Bros. Discovery has revealed that HBO Max, its flagship global streaming service, will roll out direct-to-consumer access in 12 additional countries this July. The new territories set to receive the platform include Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Tajikistan.
This latest expansion marks another milestone in HBO Max's international growth, offering subscribers in these nations access to a vast library of content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, and Max Originals. Featured titles include blockbuster hits such as A Minecraft Movie, the complete Harry Potter film collection, and popular returning series like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, The Pitt, and Peacemaker. Future programming includes highly anticipated series like Task and IT: Welcome to Derry, along with beloved classics like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and reality hits such as 90 Day Fiancé from TLC and Gold Rush from Discovery.
Select markets will also gain access to HBO Max's sports content, which features some of the world's premier live events. This includes tennis Grand Slam tournaments like the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, alongside cycling's Grand Tours — the Giro d'Italia, La Vuelta a España, Tour de France, and Tour de France Femmes. Major winter sports events will also be available, although broadcast rights and availability will vary by country.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming & Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: 'Our continued global expansion of HBO Max is helping fuel the great momentum we continue to see for the service. These 12 countries will be followed by a few additional markets later this year, and launches in Germany, Italy and the UK early next year. Each new market further positions HBO Max as a worldwide destination for the best in entertainment.'
To cater to varying user needs, HBO Max will offer two subscription tiers. The Standard Plan allows streaming on two devices simultaneously in full HD and offers up to 30 offline downloads, subject to limitations. The Premium Plan, meanwhile, enables streaming on four devices in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos support where available, along with up to 100 downloads for offline use.
The service will be compatible with major devices, including select mobile phones, tablets, and connected TVs. Subscribers will have the option to pay using widely accepted methods such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and through in-app purchases via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Samsung Checkout.
This expansion follows earlier 2025 launches in Australia and Türkiye, with Warner Bros. Discovery planning additional rollouts through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. As of the end of Q1 2025, HBO Max had amassed 122.3 million global subscribers, reflecting a growth of 5.3m over the previous quarter, underscoring the platform's strong upward trajectory.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Harry Potter: The Exhibition to make its UAE debut in July
Harry Potter: The Exhibition to make its UAE debut in July

Khaleej Times

time6 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

Harry Potter: The Exhibition to make its UAE debut in July

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is coming to the UAE for the very first time. Opening its spellbinding doors to the public on Friday, July 25, at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, this immersive experience is set to enchant fans of all ages with the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever presented on the Harry Potter franchise and its extended universe. Tickets go on sale today, Monday, June 24 at 12pm, exclusively at Prices start at Dh115, with VIP options available for those seeking extra magic—offering fast-track entry, an audio guide, commemorative merchandise, and more. Step inside the magic Get ready to choose your Patronus, test your Quidditch skills, cast spells, and brew potions as you explore iconic moments, characters, settings, and magical creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts™ films. You'll even get a behind-the-scenes look at the award-winning Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Guests will wear interactive wristbands that personalise their entire experience—meaning no two journeys are the same. Expect next-level immersion through best-in-class design, technology, and storytelling, celebrating more than two decades of wizarding wonder. What to expect? From Page to Screen Gallery: Begin your journey with a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, encased in a Gringotts-style vault and surrounded by inspirational literary quotes and visuals. Hogwarts Castle Gallery: Encounter Dementors, the Whomping Willow, and see your name appear on the Marauder's Map in this stunning multimedia environment. The Great Hall Gallery: A grand tribute to the series' magical seasonal moments, brought to life through the hall's iconic architecture. Hogwarts Houses Gallery: After selecting your house during preregistration, dive into a celebratory hall that showcases each house with stained glass crests and the iconic Sorting Hat—a perfect photo moment. Hogwarts Classrooms: Hands-on magical lessons await—brew potions, repot mandrakes, predict the future, and fend off boggarts, all while exploring costumes, props, and secrets from the films. Hagrid's Hut & The Forbidden Forest: Explore the cosy interior of Hagrid's Hut and brave the forest to encounter centaurs and Acromantula. Here, guests can also conjure their own Patronus in an interactive spell-casting experience. A global phenomenon Following its world premiere in Philadelphia in 2022, Harry Potter: The Exhibition has bewitched over 3.5 million visitors worldwide, with stops in Salt Lake City, Krakow, Melbourne, and more. Now, the magic comes to the Middle East, promising an unforgettable encounter for fans in Abu Dhabi, owing to an initiative led by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Imagine Exhibitions, Eventim Live, Proactiv Entertainment and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral. Exclusive merchandise The journey doesn't end at the exit. A retail store onsite will offer an exclusive line of Harry Potter: The Exhibition merchandise—from apparel and collectibles to unique items unavailable anywhere else in the Wizarding World.

JK Rowling praises upcoming 'Harry Potter' series, says she worked closely with writers
JK Rowling praises upcoming 'Harry Potter' series, says she worked closely with writers

Khaleej Times

time6 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

JK Rowling praises upcoming 'Harry Potter' series, says she worked closely with writers

Author JK Rowling, who penned the best-selling Harry Potter books, said she has read some of the scripts for the upcoming adaptation and has given them her stamp of approval. "I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!" Rowling, 59, said in an X post. When a fan asked whether she is "doing the writing" for the series — which is set to film this year and air in 2026 — she clarified the nature of her involvement in a reply, reported People. "No," Rowling wrote, "but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers". In April, the head of HBO said the network's choice to work with Rowling "is not new". In 2024, JK Rowling, the renowned author of the beloved Harry Potter series, lashed out at the double standards exhibited by colleagues who publicly criticised her views, while privately seeking to maintain their friendship. The acclaimed writer shared her sentiments in an extract from the forthcoming book, The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht, published by The Times of London. While the author did not divulge specific names, her disagreements with some individuals involved in the Harry Potter film franchise have been well-documented in recent years. Her remarks reignited a public exchange with former co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Several stars in the original Harry Potter franchise — including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson — made it clear they had different views. HBO announced last month that the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had been cast in the forthcoming series, with Dominic McLaughlin playing Harry, Arabella Stanton portraying Hermione and Alastair Stout starring as Ron. Gardiner and Mylod said in a press release that they were "delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron" following an "extraordinary search" for the iconic roles, reported People. "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen," the duo continued of McLaughlin, Stanton and Stout. "We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there." An official release date for HBO's Harry Potter series has yet to be announced, reported People.

6 Games to Play While You Wait for Squid Game Season 3
6 Games to Play While You Wait for Squid Game Season 3

UAE Moments

time20-06-2025

  • UAE Moments

6 Games to Play While You Wait for Squid Game Season 3

If you're craving the high-stakes drama, psychological mind games, and survival chaos of Squid Game, you're not alone. While we all await the release of Season 3, why not dive into video games that echo the show's intense themes? From twisted social experiments to fast-paced death matches, these six games will scratch that Squid Game itch in all the best (and worst) ways. 1. Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony If you loved Squid Game 's psychological mind games, Danganronpa V3 is a perfect fit. In this visual novel-meets-murder mystery, a group of high school students are trapped and forced to kill each other to escape—sound familiar? Twists, betrayals, and courtroom drama make this a darkly addictive playthrough. 2. Mortal Kombat Sometimes, you just want the raw brutality that Squid Game so often teases—and Mortal Kombat delivers in spades. Its over-the-top fatalities, epic character roster, and tournament-style structure align well with the do-or-die mechanics of the Netflix hit. Plus, the stakes? Always fatal. 3. The Last of Us Part I For those who connected with the emotional depth behind Squid Game 's violent façade, The Last of Us Part I offers a gripping, character-driven survival story. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it's about trust, loss, and what people will do to survive—key themes in Squid Game. 4. Fortnite Hear us out—while Fortnite may not have the bleak tone of Squid Game, it mirrors the battle royale format. With its constantly shifting rules, shrinking zones, and everyone-for-themselves setup, Fortnite is the colorful, chaotic cousin of Squid Game 's more brutal games. 5. We Happy Few Like the eerie, dystopian vibe of the Squid Game facilities? We Happy Few drops you into a drug-controlled society where conformity is enforced, and rebellion is dangerous. Expect unsettling visuals, survival mechanics, and a creeping sense of unease that fans of the show will appreciate. 6. Deathloop Much like the layered structure of Squid Game, Deathloop offers a mind-bending challenge: you're trapped in a time loop with eight targets to eliminate before midnight. Stealth, strategy, and a race against time make this one a cerebral thrill, perfect for fans who love to unravel mysteries. Whether you're here for the survival tension, the emotional unraveling, or the stylish dystopia, these six games channel the Squid Game spirit in fascinating ways. Dive in, gear up, and may the odds be ever in your favor—until Season 3 hits your screen.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store