HBO Max, Prime Video Partner for Italy and Germany Rollout

This post explains HBO Max’s big European push and what it means for people living in or visiting Italy — especially those who split their time between cobbled lanes and coastal vistas.

I’ll break down the distribution deals, the Italian content you’ll be able to watch, and practical tips for watching while you’re on the Italian Riviera.

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HBO Max arrives in Italy: quick overview and strategy

In late 2023 HBO Max expanded into major European markets, including Italy, alongside Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.

To build scale quickly, the streamer struck multiyear carriage agreements with major aggregators and local platforms so Italians and travelers can subscribe with familiar services.

The company leaned on partnerships—particularly with Amazon Prime Video and local providers—to overcome earlier rollout delays caused by legacy contracts with other broadcasters.

This means Italians can add HBO Max as an add-on to Prime or access it through local bundles like TimVision and other national platforms.

How HBO Max is reaching Italian viewers

The core of HBO Max’s European strategy is collaboration.

In Italy the streamer made a multiyear deal to appear as a Prime Video add-on and also pursued bundling with local players like TimVision.

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Across other markets it arranged partnerships with the likes of RTL+, Waipu TV, Sunrise, Swisscom, Hot, Yes and Vodafone.

The rollout continues with launches planned for the U.K. and Ireland in March, and the streamer even marked the expansion with a Berlin premiere for the Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

What’s on offer: local Italian titles and global hits

HBO Max’s European catalog mixes big library titles and local productions.

For Italy that means new originals and curated films: expect Italian works such as Portobello by Marco Bellocchio, features like Nonostante and Squali, plus documentaries profiling icons like Gina Lollobrigida.

Global hits like Friends, The Big Bang Theory and the Harry Potter films round out the offering.

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The platform will also offer a sports add-on covering events such as the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Grand Slams like the French and Australian Opens.

This is something travelers may find handy when the seaside cafés are showing the big matches.

Practical tips for streaming on the Italian Riviera

As someone who’s spent decades exploring Italy, I’ve learned a few practical rules for keeping your streaming smooth while you’re enjoying the Ligurian coast:

Check bundling options: In Italy, look for HBO Max as an add-on to Prime Video or part of a TimVision bundle. This helps you avoid juggling multiple logins.

Download before you go: Pre-download movies and series on trains or in hotel Wi‑Fi. This helps you avoid spotty coastal connections.

Local language options: Use Italian audio and subtitles to deepen your travel experience. Discover regional storytelling in a more authentic way.

Watch regional docs: Seek out Italian documentaries to learn more about film culture. Explore stories about figures such as Gina Lollobrigida.

Sports plan: Consider the sports add-on if you’ll be in town for major events. Many bars in coastal towns broadcast the big matches.

Whether you’re relaxing in a café in Genoa, watching the sunset from Portofino, or taking a break from hiking near Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo, HBO Max’s arrival makes it easier to catch both Italian films and global series.

It’s also perfect for quieter nights in Camogli, Sestri Levante, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, La Spezia or Sanremo — towns where culture and coastline meet.

Here is the source article for this story: HBO Max Inks Prime Video Deals for Germany, Italy Rollout

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