Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery are doubling down on their international partnership. The two media giants have signed a new multi-year, multi-territory deal that not only renews key distribution agreements across Europe and Africa but also brings HBO Max to two additional countries, marking a major step in their long-running collaboration.
HBO Max heads to Belgium and Austria
Under the new agreement, HBO Max’s distribution via Canal+ will continue in several Central and Eastern European markets, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. The big expansion comes with Belgium and Austria, where the streaming service will now roll out through Canal+ platforms for the first time.
For Warner Bros. Discovery, this move strengthens HBO Max’s European footprint at a time when streaming competition across the continent is heating up.
TV channels stay locked in across Europe
The partnership also renews the distribution of several popular Warner Bros. Discovery channels. Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and CNN International will continue to reach viewers in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, while Warner TV remains part of the Canal+ lineup in the Czech Republic.
These renewals ensure continuity for both kids’ programming and international news, areas where WBD has maintained a strong presence.
Africa deal extended across MultiChoice territories
Beyond Europe, the agreement stretches into Africa, where Canal+ and WBD have renewed distribution of 12 thematic channels across MultiChoice Group territories. The lineup includes major brands like CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, TNT Africa, and several localized kids’ channels.
This extension reinforces Canal+’s role as a key distribution partner for Warner Bros. Discovery content across multiple continents.
Built on last year’s momentum
The new deal builds on agreements signed in 2024, including the renewal of Canal+’s exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films in France, which kicks in six months after theatrical release. HBO Max was also previously integrated into select Canal+ subscription bundles, a move that helped boost its reach among European audiences.
Netflix deal adds another layer
All of this comes as Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery continues to loom large over the industry. The Canal+ agreement could further strengthen the French media group’s global standing, especially since it already has distribution arrangements in place with Netflix.
At a Canal+ showcase in Paris last month, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos addressed the potential future directly, reassuring partners that theatrical releases and traditional windows would remain intact. He also confirmed that Warner Bros. films would continue flowing through Canal+ under existing output deals, calling the setup “very exciting.”
With HBO Max expanding further into Europe and long-term distribution secured across key regions, the Canal+–Warner Bros. Discovery alliance is shaping up to be one of the most strategically important media partnerships heading into the next phase of global streaming.
