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warner bros. discovery

HBO Max: Germany Launch and Subscription Prices Set

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor December 3, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

HBO Max⁢ Launches in Germany with Tiered subscription Options

Berlin – HBO Max officially launched in Germany today, offering⁢ a tiered subscription model with prices starting at €7.99 per month. ⁤The ⁢streaming⁢ service, rebranded as Max in the US, brings a vast library of Warner ⁢Bros. Discovery content to German audiences, including ‍popular series like “House of‌ the Dragon” and “The Last of Us.” However,the ⁣availability of ad-free streaming is limited to the most expensive plan,raising questions about the user experience for those opting for the basic subscription.

The German launch arrives as Warner Bros. Discovery seeks to expand its global streaming footprint and compete with ⁣established players like ‍Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. While German subscription costs‍ are currently more moderate than in the US – where the ⁣premium plan costs around⁣ $23 per ⁣month – Warner CEO David Zaslav has⁣ indicated that prices may increase in the future, citing the platformS high-quality content as justification. The introduction of tiered pricing,including an ad-supported option,mirrors a broader industry trend aimed at attracting a wider range of subscribers.

Currently, HBO Max (now Max) offers three subscription tiers in Germany: Basic with Ads (€7.99/month), Standard (€12.99/month), and Premium (€19.99/month). The Basic plan includes access to the full content library but features advertising breaks. The Standard plan offers full HD resolution and the ability to stream on two⁣ devices together, while the Premium ‌plan provides 4K Ultra HD resolution and supports up to⁢ four concurrent streams.‍

The amount ‍of advertising users can‍ expect in the ‌Basic plan remains unclear. Reports ⁤from the US, where Max now includes an ad-supported tier, suggest users encounter approximately six minutes of advertising per hour of streaming content, according to PCWorld. This level of ad ⁣frequency could significantly impact the viewing experience.

The ‌launch in Germany is a key test for HBO⁢ Max as it attempts to gain market share in a competitive European landscape. ⁤ The success of the platform will likely depend on its ability to attract subscribers with⁣ compelling content while balancing the desire for ⁣profitability through advertising and potential price increases, as signaled by Warner Bros. Discovery leadership.

December 3, 2025 0 comments

Technology

Paramount, Netflix & Comcast Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor November 21, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Paramount, Netflix, and Comcast Make Bids for ⁢Warner⁣ Bros. Discovery

Los Angeles – Paramount, Netflix, ⁣and Comcast ⁢have all submitted bids to acquire portions of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), ⁤igniting a high-stakes battle for ‍control⁢ of ⁣the media giant housing iconic brands like Warner Bros., HBO, CNN, and DC Comics. the news,⁤ first reported by The New York ⁤times, confirms weeks⁤ of ⁣speculation surrounding the future of WBD, which has become a takeover target following a period of financial struggles.

paramount’s⁢ bid is for the entirety of WBD,‍ including its cable networks, while ‌Netflix and Comcast are focused on acquiring the studios and streaming assets. This distinction is key, as ‍WBD announced ⁢plans earlier this year to split ‌into two companies in‌ 2026 – one focused on studios and streaming, and another ⁣controlling its linear networks.⁣

The potential acquisition comes less than two ⁢years after WBD ⁣was formed through a ⁤$43⁣ billion merger of discovery Communications and WarnerMedia, engineered‌ by then-CEO David Zaslav, formerly of Discovery ‍and NBC. The company’s ⁣stock price‍ has remained depressed as the 2022 deal, marked by cutbacks, writeoffs, and⁤ rebrands.

Paramount appears uniquely⁤ positioned due to its interest in the⁢ entire company, including less-desirable assets. Further bolstering its position is the financial backing of CEO David Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, and‍ his support for‌ President Trump, possibly easing the regulatory review process.

Comcast, though,‍ may face headwinds due to President Trump’s longstanding animosity towards MSNBC (now MS ⁤NOW) and figures associated with ⁢NBC, including late-night host Seth Meyers ⁤and Comcast CEO Brian roberts.

Any deal⁢ will require approval from international regulators, especially in Europe, where standards are typically more stringent. Stateside,the size of Paramount’s highest ‌bid – exceeding $60 billion⁤ – could prompt scrutiny from state attorneys general⁣ concerned about potential monopoly threats to consumers.

HBO and Max content head Casey bloys acknowledged the uncertainty among WBD employees, stating he encourages staff to focus on controllable aspects of their work,‌ as “all of that theoretical” ⁢possibility is‍ “kind of a waste of energy.”

Jill Goldsmith contributed to this report.

November 21, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Israeli Film Boycott Over Policy Concerns

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor October 16, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Warner Bros. Discovery Prohibits Employees From Participating in Boycott of Israeli film Institutions

LOS ANGELES – ⁣Warner Bros.Discovery has informed employees that participation in a boycott targeting Israeli ⁣film institutions violates the company’s policies⁢ and the law, according to an internal memo obtained by Variety. ‌The directive comes amid growing controversy surrounding a pledge signed by numerous industry figures vowing to avoid working with entities “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”

The pledge, organized by‍ Film Workers for Palestine, has⁤ drawn criticism from legal groups on both sides of ⁢the Atlantic, who argue ⁤it likely violates equality laws. U.K. Lawyers for⁤ Israel has ⁣warned studios, agencies, and unions that the pledge breaches the Equality Act 2010, possibly ⁢creating “a litigation risk” and impacting insurance and film finance. Similarly, the Louis⁤ D.Brandeis ⁢Center for Human Rights under Law‌ in⁤ Washington D.C. has stated ⁢that numerous U.S. federal and state civil rights laws prohibit such boycotts.

film Workers for Palestine’s FAQ section specifies that⁤ Israeli citizens of Palestinian heritage⁢ would be subject to different, “context⁣ sensitive” guidelines ⁢than other Israeli citizens.

Last month, Paramount was the first studio to publicly respond to the boycott, with chief communications officer Melissa Zukerman stating the studio does “not agree with recent efforts ⁤to boycott ⁢Israeli filmmakers.” Zukerman added, “Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace…⁤ We need more engagement and communication – not less.”

Over 1,200 film industry figures, including liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, and ⁢Debra Messing, have also signed an open ⁢letter rejecting the boycott.

The initial pledge gained traction⁢ last month with⁤ signatures‌ from ⁣high-profile actors including Olivia‌ Colman, ⁣Emma Stone, mark Ruffalo, and ‌Javier Bardem.

October 16, 2025 0 comments

World

Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Foreign Films – Hollywood in Crisis

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor September 29, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Monday a ⁤planned 100% tariff on all foreign-made films, a move poised to dramatically reshape the global film industry and perhaps disrupt Hollywood’s established business model. The ‌proclamation, made via a post on his Truth Social platform, signals a broadening of the governance’s protectionist trade policies into the realm‌ of cultural exports.

Trump asserted that the U.S.⁤ moviemaking‌ industry‍ has been disadvantaged by international competition, stating, “Our movie making business ‍has been stolen from the United states of America, by othre countries, just like stealing candy from a baby.” The proposed tariff raises ⁢questions about the ‌legal‌ basis for such a measure and ‍its potential‌ impact on studios reliant on international revenue and co-productions.

The White House has not yet responded to ⁢requests for comment regarding the implementation of the tariff. Representatives from warner Bros Revelation, ⁣Comcast,‍ Paramount Skydance, and netflix have also not issued statements in‍ response to the‍ announcement. Trump initially suggested the possibility of a movie tariff in May, but provided limited details at the time.

September 29, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

HBO Max Returns: Warner Bros. Rebrands Streaming Service

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com May 15, 2025

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

NEW YORK – May 18, 2024 –

In a strategic move, Warner Bros. Discovery is returning the HBO Max moniker to its streaming service.The declaration, made in New York, reveals the plans for HBO’s renewed focus on premium content. Why is this happening? Executives hope the return of the HBO Max brand will attract more viewers. For more on this story, read on.

hbo Max Returns: Warner bros. Discovery Bets on Prestige in Streaming War

warner Bros. Discovery (wbd) is doubling down on prestige,announcing the return of the hbo Max name for its primary streaming service,effective this summer. this reverses the “Max” rebranding that followed the 2022 merger between warnerMedia and Discovery. The announcement, made during wbd’s upfront presentation in new york, signals a renewed commitment to hbo’s legacy as a hallmark of premium content.

financial Turnaround Fuels the Decision

this strategic shift comes amid a significant financial recovery for wbd’s streaming division. The company has slashed losses by nearly $3 billion over two years while adding 22 million subscribers worldwide in the past year.wbd now aims to surpass 150 million subscribers by the end of 2026,driven by strategic content investments and a more curated programming approach.

quality over Quantity: A New Streaming Strategy

the days of the streaming “arms race,” where platforms competed solely on volume, are fading. under ceo david zaslav, wbd is prioritizing content that drives engagement, such as award-winning hbo dramas, recent box office hits, documentaries, and select reality franchises. this shift reflects a broader trend: viewers are gravitating toward distinctive narratives over saturated catalogs.

hbo has represented exceptional narratives for half a century. to reaffirm that connection will sharpen our competitive advantage.
david zaslav, ceo, warner Bros. Discovery

the rebranding, zaslav argues, aligns the platform’s identity with its core appeal: a destination for must-see content, from the last of us to house of the dragon.

a Name That “Means Something”

the 2023 name change to “Max” was intended to broaden the service’s appeal beyond the hbo niche, incorporating discovery+ and family-kind content. however, executives now acknowledge the unparalleled value of the hbo brand.

people don’t want more content, they want different content, better content.
jb perrette, director of streaming, warner Bros. Discovery

casey bloys, head of content for hbo and Max, added that the growth achieved in their global streaming service is rooted in the quality of its programming. today we recover hbo, the brand that represents the highest quality in media. we believe that hbo Max represents our current proposal to the consumer, he said.

did you know?

hbo originally stood for “home box office” and launched in 1972 as a regional pay television service in wilkes-barre, pennsylvania.

it’s not just a name change. it is indeed a renewed commitment to what made us indispensable.
david zaslav, ceo, warner Bros. Discovery

for subscribers, the message is clear: wbd’s crown jewel is once again taking center stage.

pro tip

to maximize your streaming experience, ensure you have a stable internet connection and consider investing in a high-quality streaming device.

frequently Asked Questions

what is the reason for the name change back to hbo Max?

warner Bros.Discovery believes the hbo brand represents the highest quality in media and wants to align the streaming service with that reputation.

when will the name change take effect?

the name change is expected to occur this summer.

will the content offerings change with the rebranding?

the focus will remain on high-quality, engaging content, including hbo dramas, box office hits, documentaries, and select reality franchises.

reader question

what are your favorite hbo max shows? share your recommendations in the comments below!

May 15, 2025 0 comments