• Subscribe to our Daily News Emails
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

RTL+ and HBO Max join forces ahead of German launch

January 8, 2026 09.58 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

Warner Bros. Discovery and RTL Deutschland have agreed a bundled streaming offer that will combine RTL+ and HBO Max under a single subscription when the service launches in Germany on 13 January 2026.

Customers will be able to subscribe to the combined package via RTL+ or HBO Max, gaining access to both services through separate accounts under one subscription. RTL+ is the first bundle partner announced for HBO Max ahead of its German market entry.

“RTL+ and HBO Max – that’s a great combination of two terrific content worlds. The most successful national content on RTL+, from reality TV to fiction to sports, in a joint offering with top series, iconic blockbuster movies, and much more from HBO Max. 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, CEO of RTL Deutschland.

”Following our extensive Warner content deal and marketing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, we are taking another big step in our partnership with our new streaming bundle from RTL+ and HBO Max. We are creating an offering that we are proud of in terms of its breadth and appeal, and that will make all streaming hearts beat faster!”, he added.

Matthias Heinze, SVP Commercial & Managing Director Warner Bros. Discovery Germany, Switzerland & Austria, said: “With the HBO Max and RTL+ bundle, we are combining iconic, internationally acclaimed storytelling from HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery with the strong local roots and most popular hits of RTL+. Together, we are creating an offering that perfectly complements each other and provides 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.”

German customers can choose between two bundle options, both can be cancelled on a monthly basis with no minimum contract term. The entry-level package combining RTL+ Premium with HBO Max Basic with Ads is priced at €11.99 per month, compared with €15.98 when booked separately. A higher-tier bundle pairing RTL+ Premium Werbefrei (ad-free) with HBO Max Standard is available for €17.99 per month, down from €25.98.

To coincide with the launch, an introductory promotion will run until 13 February 2026, offering the ad-supported bundle at €9.99 per month and the ad-free premium bundle at €15.99 per month for the first six months. The companies also confirmed that the bundled offer will be rolled out in Austria at a later stage.

The streaming bundle builds on an existing commercial partnership between RTL and Warner Bros. Discovery in Germany. Ahead of the HBO Max launch, RTL’s ad sales house Ad Alliance has already been appointed to handle advertising sales for HBO Max in the German market, integrating the service into RTL’s broader cross-media advertising portfolio.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Related

Filed Under: Editor's Choice, Newsline, Platforms, Streaming, Top Story Tagged With: Ad Alliance, HBO Max, Matthias Heinze, RTL, RTL Deutschland, Stephan Schmitter, Warner Bros. Discovery Edited: 9 January 2026 14:15

Avatar photo

About Jörn Krieger

Jörn reports on the latest developments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1992, he has been working as a freelance journalist, specialised in digital media, broadcast technology, convergence and new markets. He also takes up University lectureships, writes articles in specialist publications, and produces radio reports. Jörn is also a moderator of panel discussions at industry events such as ANGA COM, Medientage München and IFA Berlin.

Latest News

  • BBC to make YouTube-first shows in commercial partnership
  • Big Blue Marble launches TV-as-a-service platform in Germany
  • US groups take 80%+ of SVOD and in-video OTT ad revenues in Europe, says Observatory
  • Music Box adds T-Mobile CZ and Slovak Telekom carriage for 3 channels
  • Netflix lands global Sony Pay-1 deal, exclusive worldwide from 2029

Most Popular

  • Netflix lands global Sony Pay-1 deal, exclusive worldwide from 2029
    Netflix lands global Sony Pay-1 deal, exclusive worldwide from 2029
  • CNBC to launch German-language channel in 2027
    CNBC to launch German-language channel in 2027
  • TLC to go free-to-air in UK; HGTV to close linear channel
    TLC to go free-to-air in UK; HGTV to close linear channel
  • Music Box adds T-Mobile CZ and Slovak Telekom carriage for 3 channels
    Music Box adds T-Mobile CZ and Slovak Telekom carriage for 3 channels
  • Swerve TV raises $2.5m Series A led by Scott Galloway
    Swerve TV raises $2.5m Series A led by Scott Galloway
  • Channel 4 claims streaming tipping point for 16-34s
    Channel 4 claims streaming tipping point for 16-34s
  • Reemah Sakaan appointed President of 5
    Reemah Sakaan appointed President of 5

White Paper

Virgin Media O2 turns to Starlink for UK-first ‘O2 Satellite’ service

Virgin Media O2 has struck a multi-year deal with Starlink’s Direct to Cell network to launch “O2 Satellite”, a handset-to-satellite service that will extend coverage into rural and coastal not-spots from early 2026. … [Download the White Paper ...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Editorial

44 Telegraph Street
Cottenham, Cambridge CB24 3QF
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Commercial

Arundel View Cottage
Wepham
West Sussex
BN18 9RA
sales@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2026 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.