Warner Bros Discovery and Sky have signed a new non-exclusive deal, which will allow Sky subscribers to continue watching HBO shows on Max beyond the end of next year.
- HBO series including House of the Dragon and new HBO shows including Harry Potter series will be available through new streaming service Max.
- Sky subscribers will gain access to the ad-supported tier of Max by default in early 2026.
- Children’s channels including Cartoon Network will continue to be available on Sky and NOW.
- HBO content will become available on non-Sky platforms in the UK and Ireland.
Sky and NOW subscribers in the UK and Ireland will continue to be able to access HBO’s top shows via new streaming service Max from early 2026.
Many top shows currently broadcast on Sky’s own TV channels and streaming service will move across to streaming service Max, which will combine HBO shows, with movies, factual, news and sports content from Warner Bros Discovery’s other channels and film studio.
There had been fears that Sky subscribers could miss out when the current deal expires at the end of next year. The deal between Sky and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) means Sky and NOW subscribers will be continue to access content, albeit in a different place from 2026. However, new HBO shows currently exclusive to Sky’s TV platforms will become available on other platforms for the first time.
Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
Overview: what’s changing
Until end of 2025
HBO shows continue on Sky Atlantic
You’ll be able to find HBO’s House of the Dragon, White Lotus, The Last of Us and more on Sky Atlantic and Sky’s on-demand service.
From 2026
HBO shows switch to Max
Streaming service Max will host HBO’s top shows, plus content currently available on Discovery+.
Sky subscribers will gain automatic access to the basic, ad-supported tier.
One of the first major series affected by the change is the forthcoming Harry Potter series, which will be shown on Max, not Sky Atlantic.
Content no longer exclusive to Sky
WBD has already revealed it’s been in negotiations with a variety of platform operators regarding Max. And it’s expected Max will be available on smart TVs that currently have the Discovery+ app. This means that HBO shows previously exclusive to Sky Atlantic will now for the first time become available via a variety of devices and platforms not related to Sky. Max will also be the home of TNT Sports.
Sky will be hoping that its array of Sky Originals, plus Sky Sports and Sky Cinema content will be enough to keep subscribers. It is also pinning its future on being an aggregator of content, with viewers able to access all major streaming apps on its devices.
However, many of Sky’s rivals, plus smart TV manufacturers are also keen on getting all streaming apps on board, giving viewers the option to ditch Sky if what they want is now available on a standalone streaming service.
Pay extra for ad-free and 4K UHD Max on Sky
Sky and NOW subscribers will only gain access to the basic ad-supported tier of Max.
At present, full details of Max’s pricing tiers in the UK and Ireland are unknown.
Based on Max’s current pricing tiers in countries where it has already launched, ad-free access, 4K UHD streaming, Dolby Atmos sound and the option to stream on more devices will only be available to subscribers who pay extra.
What happens to Sky TV channels after HBO shows switch to Max?
Sky has confirmed that until the end of 2025, nothing changes. Viewers will be able to watch all current and any new HBO shows and WBD movies that come out before the end of next year on Sky Atlantic and Sky Cinema.
Sky hasn’t disclosed its plans beyond 2025. However, it is possible that Sky may make changes to its linear TV channels once Max launches – Sky Atlantic was after all set up as the home of HBO.
That makes the inclusion of Sky Atlantic in Sky’s newly launched Sky Essential TV pack less appealing if signing up for a 24 month contract.
In terms of streaming, Max’s content will be embedded alongside other on-demand shows on Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Stream and NOW, so viewers who prefer to stream content, or find content via voice search may not notice much, if any change.
Importantly, there’s no guarantee that HBO shows will be shown on traditional linear channels beyond 2025.
Other channels covered by the deal
The deal also sees Turner Kids content on channels including Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and Boomerang remaining part of Sky and NOW’s for years to come.
Sky and Warner Bros. Discovery already enjoy a long-term carriage agreement for a wide range of WBD’s other television channels.
Corporate comment
Dana Strong, Sky Group CEO, commented:
“This deal builds on our remarkable achievements this year. We have secured most major sports rights through to the end of the decade, extended our content partnerships, and progressed our transition from satellite to IP, with 9 out 10 new customers choosing Sky Glass or Sky Stream. This partnership solidifies Sky as the ultimate TV destination and the preferred partner of choice for streamers, rights holders and content creators alike.”
“This new partnership provides an expanded range of content for our customers to enjoy Warner Bros. Discovery’s popular storytelling through Max. The combination of content from our partners, alongside our slate of Sky Originals, and Sky’s leading aggregation of the UK and Ireland’s best content apps gives us an unrivalled entertainment proposition and an exceptional line-up of the world’s best shows.”
Andrew Georgiou, President & Managing Director for WBD UK & Ireland and WBD Sports Europe said:
“Today’s announcement is hugely exciting for everyone who loves award-winning scripted entertainment and movies. Arriving in early 2026, the market-wide launch of Max in the U.K & Ireland is a significant step in its global roll-out, and will be the place where audiences find incredible new shows, including the future Harry Potter series from HBO.
Our new agreement will continue Warner Bros. Discovery’s long-standing collaboration with Sky and deepen our relationship across distribution and now the bundling of Max. This will enable Max immediately at launch to be available to millions of passionate video subscribers, and separately be available to the more than 20 million other broadband households in the territories through Max direct to consumer and other partnerships.”
By: Marc Thornham | Image: WBD / Logo: Sky