Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will expand the reach of HBO Max because the platform will arrive to new markets in the world. The companies have deepened their international alliance with a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement.
Their alliance further reshapes the European and African streaming and television landscape, while the future ownership of Warner continues to fuel intense industry controversy.
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Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery will expand the reach of HBO Max
Under the renewed deal, Canal+ will continue distributing HBO Max across several Central and Eastern European markets. That includes Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. The agreement also expands HBO Max into Belgium and Austria, reinforcing the platform’s footprint in Europe.
The agreement happened at a time when competition among global streamers is accelerating. In parallel, a slate of Warner Bros. Discovery channels will maintain their presence in multiple European territories through Canal+’s distribution network. Includes:
- Cartoon Network
- Cartoonito
- CNN International
- Warner TV
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What will happen in Africa?
The partnership extends well beyond Europe. In Africa, Warner Bros. Discovery will renew the distribution of 12 themed channels across MultiChoice Group territories. These include globally recognized brands such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa and CNN International, underscoring the breadth of WBD’s content reach and Canal+’s role as a key regional distributor.
This agreement builds on earlier arrangements struck in 2024, when Canal+ secured the exclusive pay-TV window in France for Warner Bros. Pictures films six months after their theatrical release. HBO Max was also integrated into select Canal+ subscription bundles, positioning the French media group as a central gateway for premium U.S. content across multiple platforms.
However, the deal lands amid mounting speculation over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery itself. Netflix has emerged as a leading contender in a potential acquisition of WBD, a move that could dramatically reshape the global streaming hierarchy. Netflix executives have publicly signaled confidence in pursuing the transaction, while maintaining close ties with Canal+, which already distributes Netflix content in several markets.
