HBO Max is now providing its subscribers in a key region with podcasts, unveiling on Tuesday that it is adding podcasts in Europe, something it has done in the U.S. since 2019.
The news comes at a time when Netflix has been rolling out podcasts, including from Spotify, and amid reports that Paramount+ is also planning a push into podcasts. Of course, Paramount Skydance has agreed to acquire HBO Max parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. So, all signs point to podcasts becoming a growing content offering across streaming giants around the world.
The move is “reinforcing the platform’s position as the ultimate destination for fans to immerse themselves even deeper in the worlds of their favorite series and franchises,” including Harry Potter and the various Game of Thrones shows, it said. The goal is to offer “companion experiences, behind‑the‑scenes access and creator‑led conversations alongside its series and movies,” kicking off “a new era of immersive fandom.”
The European podcast push launches Tuesday with Harry Potter: The Official Film Podcast, hosted by film critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon, which offers “a joyful and insightful rewatch of the eight Harry Potter movies, featuring special guests, high‑level film discussion and deep dives into the moments that defined a generation of movie‑goers,” HBO Max said.
‘The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon’
Harry Potter: The Official Film Podcast will debut with a special two‑episode launch, followed by weekly episodes, with two episodes dedicated to each movie. Fans can stream the video version exclusively on HBO Max, with the audio version also available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
From June, HBO Max will then roll out a slate of what it described as “franchise‑led podcasts” across Europe, anchored by Game of Thrones and its expanding universe. Fans will get to check out The Game of Thrones Anniversary Special Podcast, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Podcast and The Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon, with a new season of that podcast launching next month to accompany season 3 of the series.
Also part of the slate will be companion podcasts and in‑depth discussions from such popular HBO Max series and movies, including The Last of Us, The Pitt, The Comeback and Sinners: In Proximity, as well as the complete multi‑season rewatch podcast The History of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
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