HBO Max and RTL+ bundle unveiled in Germany

Warner Bros Discovery and European giant RTL Group have paired up in Germany to provide a bundled subscription to HBO Max and local streamer RTL+.

The offer comes ahead of HBO Max launching in the country on 13 January and costs €11.99 (£10.42) per month for both ad-supported versions of the streamers, instead of €15.98 if paid for separately.

An ad-free offering, consisting of HBO Max Standard and RTL+ Premium Werbefrei, is available for €17.99 per month (instead of €25.98 when booked separately).

An introductory offer available until 13 February will provide the ad-supported bundle for €9.99 per month for the first six months, or €15.99/month for the first six months.

RTL+ offers shows such as Neue Geschichten vom Pumuckl and Make Love, Fake Love, as well as sports including the UEFA Europa League.

HBO Max’s local shows will include Banksters and 4 Blocks Zero, alongside flagship IP such as Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The White Lotus, The Last of Us and classics such as Sex and the City and Friends.

“With this bundle, we are igniting the next stage in the success story of RTL+ and preparing HBO Max for its big market launch in Germany,” said Stephan Schmitter, chief exec at RTL Germany, which has been a long-standing buyer of Warner Bros content.

Matthias Heinze, senior vice-president of commercial and managing director of WBD Germany, Switzerland & Austria, added that services “perfectly complement each other and provide entertainment for every taste and every generation in the family.”

“This partnership is a strong signal for the German market and for the future of premium streaming,” he added.

The deal comes as WBD, which remains a takeover target for both Netflix and Paramount Skydance, prepares to launch HBO Max into several major European countries, including the UK.

It also follows the appointment of Clement Schwebig, most recently the president and managing director of WBD in Western Europe and Africa, as the successor to outgoing RTL Group chief exec Thomas Rabe.