Sky viewers warned they may lose favourite shows as major US streaming app doubles down on UK launch
SKY viewers have been warned that they may lose access to fan-favourite shows and movies like the Game of Thrones and Dune 2.
Warner Bros.-owned content is currently available to UK viewers via Sky and the Now TV app – but this won’t be the case forever.
Bosses at Warner Bros. Discovery have upped the ante on their “need” to bring their Max streaming platform to the UK, as well as Germany and Italy.
“We want, we need to, and we will launch Max in these three markets,” Gerhard Zeiler, president of Warner Bros. Discovery International, said at the MoffettNathanson media conference yesterday, as first reported by Deadline.
“These are three of the most important markets outside of the US.
“There is no reason we should not do that.
“Why should we disadvantage ourselves by not launching Max?”
ENDING PARTNRSHIP
In February, execs confirmed plans to bring Max to the UK sometime in 2026.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. said it will also branch out into Asia and Australasia in 2025.
Max – formerly known as HBO Max – is a popular US streaming service that features content from a string of networks, including HBO, DC and Warner.
It hosts HBO classics like Game of Thrones – as well as its spinoff House of the Dragon, plus newer hits like The Last Of Us and The White Lotus.
Max’s UK launch comes as a result of its ending partnership with Sky, which owns Now TV.
With Max licensing contracted to Sky, Warner Bros. has effectively been barred from launching its own app in the UK.
It could spell trouble for Sky if the company ends up losing tentpole titles like The Last of Us and the Game of Thrones spinoffs.
Cord Busters
It’s understood shows from Max that are airing via Sky or Now TV will cease streaming on 31 December 2025.
But as Cord Busters notes, this could result in lost shows for Sky and Now TV customers.
“It could spell trouble for Sky,” the outlet reported. “If the company ends up losing tentpole titles like The Last of Us and the Game of Thrones spinoffs, as well as Warner Bros. blockbuster films such as Dune 2.”
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