Feb 12, 2021

HBO Max to Launch in Latin America in June, Europe to Follow

A little more than a year after its launch in the United States, HBO Max will begin its international expansion. WarnerMedia's streaming platform will debut in Latin America in late June, followed by parts of Europe.

Thirty-nine territories in Latin America and the Caribbean will offer HBO Max in June. Subscribers to the existing streaming service, HBO Go, will have immediate access to the new platform: Distant Lands, for example. WarnerMedia also promises local original programming and "a new children's experience featuring a deep catalog of content for kids of all ages."

Later in the year, the HBO-branded streaming service will become HBO Max in Scandinavia, Spain, Central Europe, and Portugal; in December, Andy Forsell, global chief of HBO Max, said the goal is to roll out the platform in 190 countries, adding, " It's a question of how quickly we can make that happen," he added.

After twists and turns in the U.S., where the HBO brand has been hit by turmoil over its various services, HBO Max is establishing itself as a major competitor in the streaming wars, despite its relatively high $15 monthly fee. Parent company AT&T revealed last month that it has nearly 40 million subscribers, a figure that includes those who can access the service through promotions and HBO's cable subscriptions. At last count, Disney+ had 94.9 million subscribers worldwide and Netflix had 203.7 million.

Top image: "Adventure Time: A Land Far Away"