SkyShowtime Lands HBO Max European Originals

A slate of HBO Max European originals is headed to SkyShowtime in a volume deal with Warner Bros. Discovery that spans over 150 hours of content.

SkyShowtime has scored the exclusive European rights for 21 local series from Warner Bros. Discovery, including several HBO Max originals. The pact encompasses some 168 episodes, covering 150 hours. Financial terms of the programming agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement includes three shows that will have their world premieres on SkyShowtime this year. Branded as SkyShowtime originals, the shows are ID (Finland and Sweden), The Winner (Czechia and Slovakia) and Warszawianka (Poland). The streamer will also roll out season two of Por H o Por B from Spain and will make the first season available on its footprint.

SkyShowtime will also showcase titles that have previously premiered on HBO Max, including Beartown (Sweden), Beforeigners (Norway), Kamikaze (Denmark), Lust (Sweden) and The Informant (Hungary). SkyShowtime will have the option to acquire worldwide rights on any renewed shows as well as the option to order new seasons for several shows.

In addition, multiple seasons of 12 series from HBO Max will be available exclusively on SkyShowtime beginning in March, among them Czech It Out! (Czechia), Foodie Love (Spain), Hackerville (Romania), No Activity (Spain), One True Singer (Romania), Pray, Obey, Kill (Sweden), Ruxx (Romania), Success (Croatia), Todo Lo Otro (Spain), The Sleepers (Czechia), Tuff Money (Romania) and Welcome to Utmark (Norway).

SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan said: “This is a landmark deal for SkyShowtime, giving us an immediate foothold in the original programming space well ahead of plan. As a streaming service created specifically for Europe, SkyShowtime is committed to consumers in our markets. Local programming is an important part of our strategy, and we are pleased to be the home for these new series, as well as popular shows that resonated with audiences across the Nordics, Central and Eastern Europe and Spain.”

Jon Farrar, head of programming at SkyShowtime, added: “Local original programming has always been a key part of our content proposition. We are thrilled to announce this first step in our original programming strategy. We are uniquely dedicated to our markets and look forward to working with local writers and producers to bring even more authentic stories to our subscribers.”

SkyShowtime has a rollout strategy for 22 markets in Europe, having already arrived in 12. It is joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global.