Warner Bros Discovery is rolling out HBO Max in the UK and Ireland this week, with the first season of Harry Potter slated for a Christmas premiere. Global streaming chief JB Perrette said the reboot would be the network’s biggest project yet, a move aimed at snapping up subscribers before the company’s pending sale to Paramount.

The takeover, still awaiting regulatory approval, is expected to merge HBO Max with rival Paramount+. Perrette stressed that the price tag paid assumes continued growth of the underlying business, and that the HBO brand’s legacy will keep it alive for many years even after the deal closes.

The eight‑episode first season will film in the UK since last summer and is planned to run for ten years, mirroring J.K. Rowling’s seven‑book arc. Perrette called the franchise “the biggest single IP” in the company, noting that while risk and backlash exist, confidence in the series remains high.

Perrette also highlighted the launch’s sports angle, with TNT Sport bringing millions of viewers from day one. By focusing on high‑quality scripted content for adults and families, the platform aims to become a habitual destination, countering competitors that offer breadth over depth.