Nippon TV and Warner Bros. Discovery inks new partnerships in Japan, bringing HBO Max to Hulu in Japan from October 1

2026/09/01

Nippon TV and Warner Bros. Discovery inks new partnerships in Japan, bringing HBO Max to Hulu in Japan from October 1

Nippon TV and Warner Bros. Discovery inks new partnerships in Japan, bringing HBO Max to Hulu in Japan from October 1

Subscribers to have access to HBO Max's globally celebrated series and films, including the highly anticipated first season of HBO Original Harry Potter series set to debut at Christmas

Tokyo, September 1, 2026: Nippon TV today announced a new partnership in Japan with Warner Bros. Discovery [WBD], bringing its premier global streaming service HBO Max to Hulu service in Japan ("Hulu Japan") on October 1. Available as a dedicated HBO Max hub within both services, subscribers will have access to an unrivalled collection of globally popular series and films from iconic brands, including HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios.

HBO Max will launch HBO Max on Hulu Japan as part of a wider global partnership with Nippon TV, which will also explore distribution of Nippon TV and Hulu Japan local content slate on HBO Max internationally. From October 1, the HBO Max Standard Tier will be offered to Hulu Japan subscribers at no extra charge.

HBO Max is home to some of the world's most watched content. At launch, all seasons of award-winning HBO Original series will be exclusively available, including House of the Dragon, DC Studios' Lanterns, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, Sex and the City and Euphoria. The highly anticipated upcoming first season of the new HBO Original Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will debut at Christmas.

Also available from October 1, are critically acclaimed Max Originals such as The Pitt and comedy spin-off Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, as well as universally loved Warner Bros. TV series including Friends and The Big Bang Theory. Film fans can catch the celebrated Warner Bros. slate, including global hits such as One Battle After Another and Barbie, the beloved collections of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, and blockbusters from the DC Universe.

From left: Hiroyuki Fukuda, President and CEO at Nippon TV;
James Gibbons, President of Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific;
and Tadahisa Dosaka, President and CEO at Hulu Japan

Hiroyuki Fukuda, President and CEO at Nippon TV said:
We are honored and excited to enter into a global partnership with WBD. For Nippon TV, this initiative represents two global ambitions: WBD's content will become available in Japan through Hulu Japan, and we will explore the distribution of content from Nippon TV and Hulu Japan on HBO Max to reach audiences worldwide through HBO Max.
As Nippon TV content continues to gain international recognition, with unscripted formats developed by Gyokuro Studio and dramas receiving accolades at international awards, this initiative carries tremendous significance for us, and supports our strategic vision,"Change the 'World' Through the Power of Content."

Tadahisa Dosaka, President and CEO at Hulu Japan said: Exciting news for our 15th anniversary year! Since its launch, Hulu Japan has promoted the message "If you want to watch international series, watch them on Hulu" and we now aim to be "the number one domestic platform for international series. Through this new partnership, we will offer award-winning blockbusters and series, including the highly anticipated new HBO Original Harry Potter series. From October 1, customers can enjoy Warner Bros. Discovery's world-renowned content alongside Hulu Japan's extensive lineup-including Nippon TV Group's popular shows, Hulu Japan originals, and live events.

James Gibbons, President of APAC at WBD said: "These new strategic partnerships enable us to broaden the distribution of HBO Max in Japan, which has seen a strong increase in engagement and awareness since launch. We look forward to working with Nippon TV, Hulu Japan to continue the momentum in this next phase of growth - and particularly ahead of the new HBO Original Harry Potter series - an IP that is incredibly popular with Japanese fans."

HBO Max will launch in Japan on Hulu Japan on October 1.

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