For years, UK viewers have gotten most HBO content material broadcast within the US by way of Sky and Now’s Leisure Membership, with a number of exceptions equivalent to comedy hit Hacks. Nonetheless, there was hypothesis over the previous couple of months on the worldwide enlargement of the streaming service, HBO Max.
It was anticipated that it will ultimately arrive within the UK, but it surely wasn’t clear whether or not this is able to be by way of Sky on account of licensing expiring. Nonetheless, due to a serious deal, we now know extra about what to anticipate. Right here’s when HBO Max arrives within the UK, and the way you’ll be capable to join.
When will HBO Max launch within the UK?
Warner has confirmed on this press launch that HBO Max UK will launch in early 2026. Nonetheless, we don’t but know the precise month.
Many individuals are suspecting that will probably be in January 2026, as Buddies is leaving Netflix on 30 December 2025, and on the time of writing has no different confirmed streaming house in Nice Britain.
Buddies could be an enormous draw for the platform, because it has persistently been one of the watched issues on Netflix UK since arriving in 2018 – so, Warner could not want to delay a launch, and as an alternative attempt to scoop up anybody who cancels their Netflix membership.
After all, that is simply hypothesis. As soon as we all know extra, we’ll replace this text.
How will HBO Max launch within the UK?
It’s now been confirmed by Sky that Max’s least expensive ad-supported tier will probably be obtainable to Sky TV clients at no additional cost – the same set as much as how they’ll get Paramount+ without cost.
This deal will additionally lengthen to anybody who has a Now Leisure Membership, which prices £9.99 per 30 days (although customers can get it for half value on the time of writing in the event that they lock in for an extended contract). Sky TV is now obtainable ranging from £15 per 30 days.
For those who’re not a Sky buyer, then by no means worry. Max will additionally launch as a standalone streaming platform, which is able to embody a Premium ad-free tier. You’ll most likely be capable to join on the HBO Max web site, or by way of the app.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
How a lot will HBO Max price within the UK?
Warner has not talked about something in regards to the UK prices of Max. Nonetheless, right here’s how a lot it prices within the US:
- HBO Max Primary with Advertisements: $10.99 per 30 days/$109.99 per yr – 1080p decision, no offline downloads, two concurrent streams, 5.1 encompass sound high quality
- HBO Max Customary (Advert-Free) – $18.49 per 30 days/$184.99 per yr – 1080p decision, as much as 30 offline downloads, two concurrent streams, 5.1 encompass sound high quality
- HBO Max Premium (Advert-Free, 4K) – $22.99 per 30 days/$229.99 per yr – 4K decision, as much as 100 offline downloads, 4 concurrent streams, Dolby Atmos sound high quality obtainable
Rival streaming providers usually have barely decrease numbers within the UK on account of conversions, so we’d count on these tiers to vary barely. We additionally don’t know if HBO Max will provide all three tiers talked about above, or if it would simply persist with one ad-supported and one ad-free choice at launch.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Will Sky and Now clients be capable to get HBO Max ad-free?
The tier confirmed to be obtainable free for Sky and Now clients is the ad-supported one, which we assume will the most cost effective model of HBO Max obtainable.
It’s not but clear if Sky/Now clients will be capable to improve to a extra premium ad-free one, in response to Cordbusters. This could possibly be a approach to encourage extra standalone subscribers for HBO Max, although that is purely hypothesis.
Will I nonetheless be capable to watch HBO reveals by way of Sky?
Sure. This modification received’t occur till 2026, so that you’ll nonetheless be capable to stream The White Lotus, Home of the Dragon, The Penguin and extra with none modifications till the top of subsequent yr.
Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO
Even after HBO Max launches, the free platform bundle means you’ll nonetheless be capable to watch content material by way of this platform – you’ll simply want to enroll in an account by way of Sky, which is able to simply require your e mail tackle, password and some particulars, and you then’ll watch them within the HBO Max app.
Cordbusters additionally confirmed that any current reveals (or ones that debut earlier than the top of 2025) will proceed to be broadcast on Sky Atlantic and on-demand – that features Peacemaker. Nonetheless, something after that, just like the Harry Potter TV sequence, will nearly actually be unique to HBO Max.
Ought to I subscribe to Sky, Now or HBO Max?
HBO Max isn’t obtainable till early 2026, so that you’ve nonetheless obtained some time for that choice to be on the desk. Nonetheless, if you wish to watch HBO content material now and don’t know if Sky or Now could be the best choice, you’ll be able to learn our breakdown of the variations in our Sky shopping for information.