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HBO Max and Ireland?

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Comments

  • #2
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    DS86DS wrote: »
    Does anybody know if HBO Max is coming to Ireland as a part of its international expansion?

    https://tbivision.com/2021/03/15/hbo-max-to-launch-in-60-countries-by-end-of-2021-orders-new-baking-format/

    Hopefully I'm wrong, but it may not be the case due to Sky's agreement with Warner Brothers for the next few years. Which would be a shame considering how much better HBO Max is relative to Sky's fairly shoddy NOW TV service.

    https://www.hbomax.com/

    Unlikely until at least 2025 due to the Sky-HBO deal. **Maybe** ***perhaps*** a “WB Max” that doesn’t have the HBO stuff but I doubt that either.


  • #3
    GeneHunt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 872 ✭✭✭GeneHunt


    HBO Max is coming in March!

    However, I do wonder how long it will last, with Netflix in the process of buying Warner Bro. I know Netflix has stated "Nothing is changing today. Both streaming services will continue to operate separately.”

    https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/hbo-max-uk-ireland-launch-march-2026-1236598902/


  • #4
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,520 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    I just Googled to check the launch date and the results synopsis from their website show the pricing starting at €7.99pm with €3pm for the sports add-on.

    Can't see it when I click into it though.



  • #5
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124122643#Comment_124122643

    Nothing will happen that quickly, it will take a long time to get all the required regulatory clearances and shareholder approval and even after (if) the deal goes through (and I would not assume that is a formality in this particular case) then it will take a while to integrate the two operations, even if I imagine they will probably only operate one streamer in the long term. So expect at least two years before anything happens there.

    I’ll be surprised if the sports add on is offered in Ireland (or if it is it would be that cheap!). The ad-supported tier is mean to be bundled with Sky and Now entertainment subs.



  • #6
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,520 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Yeah, Sports add-on seems cheap and I haven't been able to find what content they actually have, it appears it might be Eurosport type content rather than anything top tier.

    Upfront annual sub is also showing as €79.99, so basically 10 months, which seems reasonable.

    What difference is the 4k/Dolby vision/Atmos multi user sub in regions where it already exists, America anyway seems to be double the basic teir anyway, bit of a harder sell.

    Edit, the HBO Max website has been updated.

    Basic with ads 5.99

    Standard with ads 6.99

    Standard 10.99

    Premium 15.99

    TNT Sports is the add-on in the UK but the HBO website says it's not available in Ireland so I guess no sports add-on

    https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/hbo-max-uk-launch-date-subscription-plans-prices-1236656708/


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  • #7
    Dodge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,200 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    The basic with ads option will included for Sky TV customers



  • #8
    DexterMorgansGhost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 116 ✭✭DexterMorgansGhost


    TNT Sports is probably cheaper on NOW with discounts you can get than paying the full wack to them on the Max app anyway.



  • #9
    Dodge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,200 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    different products entirely to be fair. TNT on now is live only and only covers whatever TNT 1-4 are showing. Discovery+ has many, many more live offerings, on demand features, etc etc

    I’m not arguing its value for money, just that it is way different to the now TV offering



  • #10
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    TNT on nowTV is fine for football and rugby, but niche sports like cycling, winter sports etc have basically been excluded out of the Irish market, with no legal route to watch!



  • #11
    DexterMorgansGhost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 116 ✭✭DexterMorgansGhost


    Oh right I didnt know that I though all sports were on TNT.



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  • #12
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    Anything on TNT 1-4 is available via Now.

    At least some of the events promoted as “exclusive to discovery+” can actually be viewed legally by ROI Sports Extra subscribers via TNT Sports 5-8 (the red button channels) on the Sky satellite platform. TNT don’t promote that option, but it’s still there. This is nowhere near the problem that it is with the other half of the Sports Extra pack, Premier Sports.



  • #13
    Dodge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,200 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124221017#Comment_124221017

    ”Nowhere near the problem” is slightly disingenuous tbh. It seems you’re not interested in the sports that are discovery+ only and that’s fine but as Macy0161 said above there are events that people in Ireland cannot watch (legally) that we had access to 18 months ago (for a small fee and/or included in come regular bundles)

    So we’ve gone from free/cheap access to what we wanted to watch to having little to no access of it

    That to me is more of a problem than Premier struggling to juggle their weekend rugby rights



  • #14
    Jack Daw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,750 ✭✭✭Jack Daw


    Is this going to impact the existing TNT sports arrangement you have with sky where you get the 4 TNT sports channels plus Premier sports 1 and 2 added in?



  • #15
    Dodge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,200 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    No. The announcement specified the new sports package was for UK, and said existing deals will continue

    For how long, no one knows



  • #16
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124221017#Comment_124221017

    The cycling forum would like a word!

    What about the loss of "on demand", and there is still content that is Discovery+ only and not on 5-8 (even if a household was with sky and can access red button channels).



  • #17
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223257#Comment_124223257

    I’m not saying it’s all roses! We should be getting the same content as the UK absolutely, they have the rights for Ireland. Only that it is much worse with Premier than TNT. (And that is not a specifically rugby issue either, as fans of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia, NHL, NASCAR, and other sports that have events get relegated to the Premier Player in the UK and not shown at all here will attest).

    There is a positive side, believe it or not. In the UK, viewers have to pay £31 a month for TNT and another £12 per month for Premier. Deals can be had for Premier, but rarely if ever for TNT. In contrast I am paying €25 a month for both Sky Sports and Sports Extra together via Now. Deals are ten a plenty, just go to the thread in Bargain Alerts. It’s much cheaper here, if you look for and get the deals.

    But none of this really, has anything to do with HBO Max and its launch in March. As far as sports is concerned the situation isn’t changing for ROI viewers, it is no worse or better than before. Our situation is exactly the same, whether you’re a football, rugby, cycling, or fan of any other sport coveted by TNT or Premier. All down to the deals these two companies have done with Sky which have handed Sky full control over how they are distributed here. That comes with benefits but also quite clear drawbacks.



  • #18
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Well the irritating thing for me is I would pay, if I was let! While I currently do use the Bargain Alerts/ Now TV route for the football - I was paying extra for cycling on top of that when I could - so would justify the full costs if I had the option.



  • #19
    GeneHunt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 872 ✭✭✭GeneHunt


    An article on the Journal.ie today, confirming launch date of 26th March…

    Basic with ads €5.99 (Full HD on 2 devices at once, though not all movies are included - Newer releases not included)

    Standard with ads €6.99 (on 2 devices at once and 30 downloads)

    Standard €10.99 (on 2 devices at once and 30 downloads)

    Premium €15.99 (4K UHD & Dolby Atmos, on 4 devices at once and 100 downloads)

    https://www.thejournal.ie/hbo-max-coming-to-ireland-next-month-6952439-Feb2026/


  • #20
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    The full press release is here, including details of what Sky and Now plans get access to Basic with Ads.

    https://press.wbd.com/ca/media-release/hbo-max/hbo-max-launch-uk-ireland-thursday-march-26



  • #21
    RoTelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,743 ✭✭✭RoTelly


    Sky have announced a bundle with Sky, Netflix, HBO and Disney +

    https://news.sky.com/video/sky-announces-a-new-deal-to-offer-a-bundle-of-major-streamers-with-its-own-content-13506112

    https://news.sky.com/story/sky-to-bring-disney-netflix-hayu-and-hbo-max-together-under-one-subscription-13506086

    ______

    In the end they were just greedy, they all knew one another and knew what to expect more money for no return, it was a secure cash flow, but in fairness they looked for what they wanted and fair dues to them for that, and wouldn't you be doing the same!

    Just one more thing .... when did they return that car

    Yesterday



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  • #22
    Red Silurian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,040 ✭✭✭✭Red Silurian


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124225917#Comment_124225917

    £24 a month (probably €30) for Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max alongside Sky's own original shows and exclusives

    Not an auful offering to be fair



  • #23
    RoTelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,743 ✭✭✭RoTelly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124226252#Comment_124226252

    Really holding up Hayu, I think they should try to get Discovery+ in the package.

    ______

    In the end they were just greedy, they all knew one another and knew what to expect more money for no return, it was a secure cash flow, but in fairness they looked for what they wanted and fair dues to them for that, and wouldn't you be doing the same!

    Just one more thing .... when did they return that car

    Yesterday



  • #24
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,520 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Yeah, Hayu can go and shite.

    But the bundle with the others could be worthwhile. You can assume for now they're the lowest tier packages with ads, basic HD and not multi screen.

    So what'll be interesting is the cost of it if you build them up to UHD and multiscreen with no ads.

    Post edited by Hurrache on


  • #25
    RoTelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,743 ✭✭✭RoTelly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124226369#Comment_124226369

    Ah just looked its owned by Comcast the owners of Sky.

    ______

    In the end they were just greedy, they all knew one another and knew what to expect more money for no return, it was a secure cash flow, but in fairness they looked for what they wanted and fair dues to them for that, and wouldn't you be doing the same!

    Just one more thing .... when did they return that car

    Yesterday



  • #26
    ffocused
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,273 ✭✭✭ffocused


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124226325#Comment_124226325

    Discovery+ will likely be shut down and content will move to HBO Max like in most other markets.



  • #27
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    No not closing, at least in the short term.

    The contemplated split of Warner (and its also anticipated subsequent sale to Netflix) and Discovery now means they’ll be keeping discovery+ around.



  • #28
    RoTelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,743 ✭✭✭RoTelly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124234270#Comment_124234270

    That was happening back with Lost, really the release dates for US TV shows will be same day, I am surprised this hasn't been happening for the last 5 years.

    I'd say many "older" folks are also tiring of TV, everything is very niche at this point. No one is really watching the one show anymore, its what ever your interested in, this isn't a bad thing but the last few years its been great production values, but not great writing or plotting. IMO.

    When you consider that Netflix could take control of HBO/Discovery+, I imagine the end game will be to drive everything to one place, or that you will have different resellers for the same product/suite of streamers.

    ______

    In the end they were just greedy, they all knew one another and knew what to expect more money for no return, it was a secure cash flow, but in fairness they looked for what they wanted and fair dues to them for that, and wouldn't you be doing the same!

    Just one more thing .... when did they return that car

    Yesterday



  • #29
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    I have two words for anyone who thinks the kids of today aren’t watching TV.

    Paw Patrol.

    I could name others, but that one is to me proof alone that the kids of today most definitely are watching tv. Don’t write it off just yet.



  • #30
    RoTelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,743 ✭✭✭RoTelly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124234625#Comment_124234625

    They are using YouTube and possibly other social networks. Your talking about preschoolers.

    I consider TV to include Youtube and the streamers, but I think the poster is talking about the pay streamers and the different pay subscriptions available. It's become too expensive and there are too many.

    People have to choose between Gaming and TV.

    ______

    In the end they were just greedy, they all knew one another and knew what to expect more money for no return, it was a secure cash flow, but in fairness they looked for what they wanted and fair dues to them for that, and wouldn't you be doing the same!

    Just one more thing .... when did they return that car

    Yesterday



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  • #31
    Dodge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,200 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    Teens still watch TV. As a parent of one, I’m confident with that. They binge on old sitcoms and dramas and they watch “event” reality TV when it happens. Sport too for boys (not trying to be sexist here, just talking about generalities)

    So the same as most age groups now



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