HBO Max has announced that it will launch on Prime Video and the Hulu service in Japan on October 1. Available as a dedicated HBO Max hub within both services, subscribers will have access to a collection of global series and films, including HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, as the company has claimed in a statement.

HBO Max will launch on Hulu as part of a wider global partnership with Nippon Television, which will also explore distribution of Nippon TV and Hulu Japan’s 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.

Additionally, HBO Max joins Prime Video’s lineup of subscription partners in Japan, and will be available in Standard or Premium Tier as an add on subscription within the Prime Video app.

At launch, all seasons of HBO Original series will be exclusively available, including the Game of Thrones’ universe; ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’, ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Game of Thrones’; DC Studios’ ‘Lanterns’, ‘The Penguin’ and ‘Peacemaker’; ‘The Last of Us’, ‘The White Lotus’, and ‘Euphoria’. The upcoming first season of the new Harry Potter series, titled ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, will debut at Christmas.

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

James Gibbons, President of APAC at WBD, shares: “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 and Prime Video 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”.

Hiroyuki Fukuda, President and CEO at Nippon Television Network Corporation, adds: “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. 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, comments: “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”.

“We are delighted to welcome HBO Max and its acclaimed content to Prime Video’s extensive library in Japan. From October 1, Prime Video customers in Japan can enjoy HBO Max programming through a seamless add-on subscription”, concludes Keisuke Oishi, Country Manager of Prime Video Japan. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to making Prime Video the premier destination for premium entertainment in Japan.”

In Japan, HBO Max will be available only on Prime Video and Hulu Japan from October 1.