Sky has negotiated a deal with WarnerMedia for the rights to air and work on HBO content, including from their upcoming HBO Max streaming service. As recently confirmed at WarnerMedia’s presentation of its upcoming streamer, HBO Max will launch in May 2020, with plenty of content from not only HBO but other Warner brands - like DC - and will include originals.

Sky, a European based pay-TV operator based in the UK, has been working with HBO since 2010 and has gained plenty of subscribers through their content, which included Game of Thrones and Veep. As well as broadcasting content from the U.S. cable network, Sky has also worked on co-productions including the Emmy-winning show Chernobyl. Now with this new deal, Sky and HBO will continue working together for many years to come, even through the launch of HBO Max next spring.

According to Variety, the deal will last more than five years and will see Sky gain access to content from Warner Bros, Turner and the brand-new HBO Max platform under the terms. That includes shows such as the Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon that was additionally announced during WarnerMedia’s presentation this week. The deal allows Sky subscribers who signed up for that show to continue watching adventures in Westeros for years to come. CEO of Sky Studios, Gary Davey said:

Alongside content from CBS’s Showtime, HBO’s outlet is listed under the Sky Atlantic channel, which includes all top-tier content from U.S. cable services. While Sky and their NOW TV streaming platform currently have access to HBO and Warner Bros. content, the deal suggests that the upcoming HBO Max will not be hitting Europe as it is in the U.S., instead opting for the traditional subscription route. That falls in line with WarnerMedia’s presentation, where the company laid out a plan to expand HBO Max into Latin America and the Nordic countries of Europe, but did not address any other regions. It appears Sky will be distributing HBO Max’s original content in their territories.

Our partnership with HBO, and now WarnerMedia, has never been stronger as Sky continues to thrive as Europe’s leading direct-to-consumer media and entertainment business. Customers love our Sky original productions, and together, Sky Studios and HBO Max will bring them more unique stories that you can’t find anywhere else.

Sky is also said to be looking into making more original content, with their co-production Chernobyl being the perfect starting point when heading into this direction. Sky also helped to co-produce The Young Pope alongside HBO. Given both series have been successes for the companies, they’re no doubt eager to continue working together. No matter what, it’s clear that HBO recognizes how strong Sky is as a partner in their global outreach. Rather than repackaging another streaming service, both Sky/HBO are opting to embrace the audience that has already been built in Europe through shows such as Game of Thrones.

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Source: Variety