HBO Max U.K. Launch Still Going Ahead Despite Paramount Merger

Mar 3, 2026 2:23am PT HBO Max U.K. Launch Still Going Ahead Despite Questions Over Paramount Merger (EXCLUSIVE) By K.J. Yossman Plus Icon K.J. Yossman @KJYossman Latest ‘Hijack’ Season 2 Finale Teaser: Idris Elba Gets Proof of Life From Marsha as Train Hurtles to Handover (EXCLUSIVE) 16 hours ago ‘SNL’ U.K. Taps Alumni From ‘Welcome to Wrexham,’ ‘The Late Late Show’ and ‘Horrible Science’ for Writing Team 17 hours ago Netflix Promises ‘Creative and Explosive Science Challenges’ in New Mark Rober Series ‘Schooled!’ 19 hours ago See All Courtesy of Warrick Page/HBO Max HBO Max is still going ahead with its U.K. launch, despite questions over its future as a standalone platform. “HBO Max will launch in the U.K. & Ireland as planned,” a source tells Variety. HBO Max is set to launch in the U.K. on March 26 with subscription plans ranging from £4.99 to £14.99 per month. It will also offer TNT Sports as a standalone or bolt-on for £30.99 per month. Related Stories Daniel Radcliffe Spoke to Emma Watson and Rupert Grint About HBO's 'Harry Potter' and 'How Surreal It Is' to Watch a New Cast 'Starting Off on That Journey' Roku Swings to Profit in Q4 on Record Streaming Subscription Sign-Ups, Forecasts 16% Revenue Growth in 2026 A major launch has been in the works for some time for the streaming platform, which is the last of the major studio streamers to launch in the U.K. That included bringing over talent associated with some of its biggest shows as well key execs such as president of global streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery, JB Perrette and HBO chief Casey Bloys. Popular on Variety However on Monday Paramount Skydance confirmed it plans to combine its own proprietary streamer, Paramount+, with HBO Max into one streaming service, once Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger is complete. Among a number of deals that have been struck are a Sky streamer bundling deal, which will include HBO Max. All of those plans now ostensibly hang in the balance. Among the big British HBO original series coming to the streamer are Richard Gadd’s “Half Man,” which is set to launch later this year, and the upcoming “Harry Potter” series, which is currently in the middle of shooting its first season for release next year. Last month Perrette called the series’ launch “the streaming event of the decade.” Other shows launching on HBO Max in the U.K. exclusively are “The Pitt” as well as all three seasons of “Euphoria” (the third season will be shared with Sky under a previous content sharing deal.) According to Ellison, HBO the brand will continue to “operate with independence” despite the merging of the platforms. Jump to Comments Stephen Fry to Star in Fox Drama Series ‘Interrogator’ ‘Baywatch’ Reboot Sets Open Casting Call; Performers Encouraged to Dress ‘Baywatch Ready’ but ‘Avoid Overly Revealing Styles’ Fox’s Biblical Series ‘The Faithful’ Starring Minnie Driver Drops First Teaser ‘Baywatch’ Reboot Casts Original Star David Chokachi in Return as Cody Madison Fox Picks Up New Season of ‘Running Wild With Bear Grylls’ (EXCLUSIVE) ‘Baywatch’: Stephen Amell to Lead Fox Reboot of Lifeguard Drama JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...