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HBO Max Launches in Germany and Austria With Berlin Fanfare and Weekly‑Release Push

Arriving late after Sky licensing delays, the service leans on bundles plus tiered plans to win cost‑conscious viewers.

Overview

  • The platform went live on January 13 in Germany and Austria, marking HBO Max’s direct entry into the German‑speaking market.
  • Pricing starts at €5.99 per month with ads, with ad‑free at €11.99 and a premium plan at €16.99, and access is also offered via RTL+, Waipu and an Amazon Prime Video channel.
  • HBO Max spotlights a curated slate with weekly episode drops, featuring recent hits such as The Pitt and Industry, the Berlin‑premiered A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms starting January 19, and the viral Canadian series Heated Rivalry arriving February 6.
  • Executives JB Perrette and Casey Bloys stress a quality‑over‑quantity approach targeting adult audiences, positioning weekly releases to sustain conversation rather than binge viewing.
  • A high‑profile Berlin rollout included a Zoo Palast world premiere with George R. R. Martin, a Gropius‑Bau launch party and fan events, while local commissions include Banksters in February and 4 Blocks Zero in the autumn.