Casey Bloys Discusses HBO Max’s UK Launch, Paramount Deal, and Sarandos Lunch
Casey Bloys is in London this week for the UK and Ireland launch of HBO Max on March 26. The service debuts with partners Sky and Prime Video. The rollout follows a mid-January expansion into Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.
Market context and recent corporate moves
The launch arrives amid Paramount’s proposed $111 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery. Bloys said the planned transaction is on the industry’s radar. He told Filmogaz.com that his team remains focused on programming and operations.
Local originals and partnerships
Bloys noted HBO has long worked with U.K. talent and broadcasters. He said roughly half of the existing schedule includes local or UK-linked programming.
Examples cited include A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Sharon Horgan’s new project, House of the Dragon, Harry Potter, and Succession. Bloys listed collaborations with BBC, Sky and Channel Four. He added the company will need to sort streaming rights in some cases.
Franchises, talent safety and the Harry Potter series
Bloys said he has seen work from the Harry Potter series and felt encouraged by what he saw. He declined to go into production specifics.
He acknowledged the risk of intense fan reactions around major IP. Producers now brief talent on social media and safety best practices. John Lithgow plays Albus Dumbledore, and Paapa Essiedu has reported racist threats after his casting as Severus Snape.
Programming strategy and The Pitt
In a strategic shift, HBO Max is using a Max original label to broaden its slate. The strategy makes room for longer, network-style series that can return annually.
Bloys described The Pitt as a deliberate choice to fill that gap. The series delivers more episodes per season and reaches viewers beyond HBO’s core audience. He said such shows help diversify programming and stabilize scheduling.
Distribution wins and other programming
Heated Rivalry was acquired for distribution in the U.S., Latin America, Italy and Germany. The show was not included for the U.K. because local timing did not align with the launch. Bloys called the pick-up a strong addition to the catalogue.
Mergers, meetings and industry conversations
Bloys said planning continues on a two-year horizon despite merger talks. He described a recent lunch with David Ellison as a constructive conversation. He also met with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, noting not every meeting implies broader collaboration.
Readers can find this coverage under the brief feature Casey Bloys Discusses HBO Max’s UK Launch, Paramount Deal, and Sarandos Lunch on Filmogaz.com. The piece captures Bloys’s remarks on market expansion and strategy.
Production locations and economics
Bloys praised California’s expanded tax credit and urged continued incentives. He noted Atlanta’s rise as a major production center and said both regions have merits for shoots.
Some HBO productions, like The Pitt, Hacks and a Greg Berlanti family series, shoot in California. Bloys warned that effects-driven series, such as House of the Dragon, The Last of Us and the new Harry Potter show, are complex and rarely feasible on an annual cycle.
Bloys described the UK and Ireland launch as a milestone. He emphasized HBO’s deep ties to U.K. creators and invited audiences to join the new service.
