HBO Max Launches in Israel: Wizards, Dragons, and Drama Will Hit Your Screens (For a Fee)

After years of rumors and false starts, Warner Bros.' streaming behemoth is finally making its grand entrance to the Israeli market. The announcement ends a long saga that saw HBO content gradually disappearing from local broadcasters' libraries as partnerships dissolved one by one.

Israeli viewers will get Hebrew subtitles, direct consumer access, and most importantly, bragging rights to finally watch shows their American friends have been obsessing over for months.

HBO Max arrives loaded with content that reads like a TV critic's wish list. New Emmy-winning hospital drama "The Pit" starring Noah Wyle leads the pack, alongside crime thriller "Task" with Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, Tim Robinson's comedy "The Chair Company," Stephen King's horror prequel "It: Welcome to Derry," and Rachel Sennott's youth comedy "I Love LA."

The January launch will coincide with the premiere of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," a *Game of Thrones* spin-off set 100 years before the original series, following a young knight and his mysterious squire on adventures through Westeros. Because apparently one dragon-filled fantasy epic just isn't enough.

Later in 2026, expect new seasons of "Euphoria," "House of the Dragon," and "Rick and Morty," plus fresh series including "Rooster" with Steve Carell, DC's "Lanterns," and a historical sketch series from Larry David. The highly anticipated "Harry Potter" reboot series is scheduled for 2027, giving fans plenty of time to debate whether it's necessary.

Beyond new releases, HBO Max brings its legendary back catalog: "The Sopranos," "Game of Thrones," "Friends," "The West Wing," and "ER" will all be available. The film library includes icons like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Barbie," plus content from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and DC Comics, including "Harley Quinn" and "Primal."

One caveat: Like Disney Plus before it, not every piece of HBO Max's global catalog may make it to Israel. Some content might get lost in translation or in licensing negotiations.

HBO Max will offer two subscription tiers:

1. Standard: ₪49.90/month (two devices, HD quality, 30 downloads)

2. Premium: ₪64.90/month (four devices, 4K, Dolby Atmos, 100 downloads)

Sports fans can add a live sports package with ads for an additional ₪20.

The launch comes amid major industry upheaval: Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. looms large over the announcement. While there's no immediate impact on content availability, industry watchers speculate about potential future bundling or library integration, assuming regulators don't object.

For now, Israeli viewers face a simpler question: How many streaming services is too many? With Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, and now HBO Max all competing for attention (and shekels), the golden age of television is starting to look like the golden age of monthly subscriptions.

Still, between dragons, wizards, and Tony Soprano's therapy sessions, Israeli couches are about to get a lot more crowded.

HBO Max launches in Israel on January 13, 2026.