Sky and WBD deal to add MAX

Infoanon

Sky and Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) have reached an agreement that allows WBDs streaming service to be available to Sky customers from 2026.

HBO programmes will move from Sky Atlantic to MAX , with MAX available to Sky on a non exclusive deal.

The agreement is for Ireland and the UK and it's expected that Sky customers will have to pay extra for an ads free service.

Apart from the transfer of HBO programming , from an Irish point of view it's now to be seen the impact this deal will have on Premier Sport's which is bundled with TNT (WBD) .

Delta2113

Maybe change Sky Max back to Sky One. If I was WBD I would have insisted the channel name Sky Max needs to go to avoid confusion.

Also I'd want an ads free Max experience just like Netflix here.

icdg

Here’s the press release. No mention of TNT/Sports Extra renewal or otherwise

https://www.skygroup.sky/en-gb/article/sky-uk-ireland-and-warner-bros-discovery-announce-new-distribution-and-bundle-agreement

Infoanon

Another WBD development, WBD are splitting their group between 'Global linear channels ' eg TNT / Discovery and 'Streaming & Studios ' eg Max

The reason is potentially preparation for a future sale of one of the new business segments

ongarite

I could see Comcast (Sky) buying the linear channels subject to regulator approval in UK for sports monopoly reasons.

WBD have a massive debt issue & are cutting costs.