'Major shake-up' for TV fans as HBO Max launches in the UK

HBO Max has officially launched in the UK today.

The US streaming service features HBO content as well as Warner Bros Pictures and Television, DC Studios and Max Originals shows and films. It means the return of Friends to a UK streaming service, as well as the Harry Potter films.

Other content available on the platform includes new seasons of Euphoria and House Of The Dragon and the new Harry Potter TV series, which is expected to air next year. Subscription plans start at £4.99 a month, with adverts included.

Ad-free plans start from £9.99 a month. TNT Sports subscribers can also access their subscription on HBO Max.

Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers, with Ultimate TV and Sky Q customers, will see the app included at no extra cost. Ernest Doku, broadband and TV expert at Uswitch, said the launch marked a "major shake-up" for TV fans, with Sky the only major provider bundling HBO Max at no extra cost.

"Its broadband and Ultimate TV package now includes ad-supported versions of HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Discovery+, and Hayu. If you paid for those five services individually, this would cost £28 a month, whereas Sky's bundle - including their own suite of channels, as well as fibre broadband - costs just £39," Doku said.

"There is a catch, as bundling requires a 24-month contract and means accepting ads. If you only watch one or two platforms, a standalone HBO Max subscription may offer more control, as you can leave penalty-free.

"The launch of another platform is a good reminder to audit your subscriptions. If you find you are paying for multiple services you rarely watch, cancelling just one or two could save you over £100 a year.".