Warner Bros. Discovery has officially unveiled the plans, pricing, and launch details for HBO Max ahead of its highly anticipated New Zealand debut on June 16, giving Kiwi audiences their first look at what promises to be one of the most significant streaming launches in recent years.

For New Zealand viewers, HBO Max’s arrival marks a major shift in the entertainment landscape. The platform will become the exclusive home for HBO Originals and Max Originals, bringing some of the most acclaimed and talked-about television programming in the world under one roof.

That means subscribers will have direct access to powerhouse series including The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, The Pitt, and the upcoming third season of House of the Dragon, which premieres just days after launch on June 22.

And that’s only the beginning.

The service is also preparing for two of the most anticipated television events of the coming year. DC Studios’ Lanterns will debut in August, while the long-awaited new Harry Potter television adaptation will arrive this Christmas with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, kicking off HBO’s ambitious reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s beloved fantasy saga.

Beyond its television offerings, HBO Max will arrive packed with blockbuster cinema. Subscribers can expect acclaimed new releases such as One Battle After Another and Sinners, alongside extensive collections built around iconic franchises including Harry Potter and the DC Universe.

For viewers looking for comfort viewing, fan-favourite classics such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty will also be available at launch.

Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that HBO Max will launch with two ad-free subscription tiers.

The Standard Plan will be available as a special introductory offer for $10.99 per month for the first six months, or $109.99 for the first year. Following the promotional period, pricing will move to $15.99 per month or $159.99 annually. Subscribers can stream on two devices simultaneously, enjoy Full HD viewing, and download up to 30 titles for offline playback.

For those seeking a premium experience, the Premium Plan launches at $15.99 per month for the first six months or $159.99 for the first year. Once the promotional period ends, pricing increases to $20.99 per month or $209.99 annually. Premium subscribers can stream on up to four devices at once, access select content in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos sound, and download up to 100 titles for offline viewing.

Both plans offer completely ad-free viewing.

The platform will support streaming across smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, while also offering robust accessibility options and comprehensive parental controls for families.

With prestige television, blockbuster movies, beloved sitcoms, fantasy epics, and DC superheroes all arriving under one banner, HBO Max is positioning itself as a serious contender in New Zealand’s increasingly competitive streaming market.

The countdown is now on. HBO Max launches across New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Tokelau on June 16.

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Left on a high stakes cliff hanger with the armies of both the Targaryens and the Hightowers massing for a fight, Season Three of House of the Dragon is going to explode into drama, and the body count is surely going to rise.

Check out the full behind the scenes featurette for Season Three of House of the Dragon below:

This new featurette firmly encapsulates audiences in the incredible scope and massive scale that awaits in Season Three, and the focus is very much on the war, both on the battlefield, and within the halls of power, that determines the Game of Thrones, and all will be in awe once this new series arrives.

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The excitement building up around this new season of House of the Dragon also precipitates the launch of HBO Max in New Zealand with a brand new platfiorm that set to arrive on June 16, and while details are still to be made, this new platform will offer a bold new content experience for audiences.

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House of the Dragon Season Three will arrive on June 21, and the fires will roar.

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Watch the all-new trailer for Vought Rising below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

The series follows a twisted murder mystery about the origins of Vought in the 1950s, the early exploits of Soldier Boy, and the diabolical manoeuvres of Stormfront.

Jensen Ackles is front and centre as Soldier Boy, who following the end of World War II is enlisted into the growing shadowy presence of Vought International courtesy of the devilish presence of Clara Vought / Liberty (Aya Cash), more infamously known to us as Stormfront, and in their on-going battles with Communism, there’s also Clara’s private mission to elevate super-powered beings to the ruling elite of America… and its there were things take a radical swing.

The new teaser certainly amps things up right from the start, along with presenting the presence of Vought in a radical new light courtesy of the series 1950s setting, and Prime Video has spared no expense in bringing this richly textured vision of a Supe-enabled, Norman Rockwell-esque past to life, and there’s plenty of mystery and mayhem to hook audiences all the way in.

Audiences will also be intrigued to see that we’ll be able to get a new take on Ackles’s presence as Soldier Boy, and in this new setting, his jingoistic, alpha-bravado will be on full display. But we’ll also be able to see what turned him from a patriot into something much more dangerous. In addition, audiences will also get to meet new heroes who will be introduced to the Vought universe, including Mason Dye as Bombsight, Will Hochman as Torpedo and Elizabeth Posey as Private Angel.

It’s still to be seen how Vought Rising will connect back to the sheer mania of The Boys, but we’re liking what we’re seeing first up, and havoc will make its way to the screen in service of the land of the free and the home of the super when Vought Rising arrives on Prime Video in 2027.

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Backed by Sky’s evolving entertainment strategy, Neon is stepping into a new chapter with a stacked line-up of prestige drama, binge-worthy originals, blockbuster films, anime hits and premium international content that looks set to dominate screens across the country.

A Streaming Challenger With A Kiwi Edge

In an increasingly crowded streaming battlefield, Neon’s new direction is all about leaning into what makes it different: it’s unapologetically Kiwi, culturally plugged-in, and isn’t trying to imitate the polished sameness of the global giants.

The Something to Stream About campaign embraces the social chaos, online chatter and watercooler conversations that define modern entertainment culture, all delivered with a sharp, irreverent Kiwi tone.

According to Sky Chief Customer Officer Nikki Goodman, the refreshed identity reflects the way audiences engage with entertainment today.

“Neon has always had great shows, now it has the brand strategy to match.”

And that strategy arrives with serious firepower behind it.

Neon’s entertainment ecosystem now draws from an impressive roster of global content partners including Paramount, Sony Pictures Television, NBCUniversal, BBC Studios, Lionsgate, A24, The Walt Disney Company, AMC Global Media, Madman Entertainment, Fifth Season and StudioCanal.

The result? A seriously loaded catalogue that feels built to fuel obsession.

New Series Are About To Take Over Your Watchlist

Leading the charge is The Audacity, a darkly comic Silicon Valley drama from Better Call Saul and Succession writer-producer Jonathan Glatzer, which arrives on May 14.

Then comes Dutton Ranch, the next expansion of the Yellowstone universe from Taylor Sheridan, following Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler as they battle to defend the family legacy in true hard-hitting Western fashion.

Espionage fans are also in for a treat with The Agency, the tense spy thriller led by Michael Fassbender, while BBC Studios thriller Mint delivers a volatile mix of romance, violence and gangster intrigue described as “Romeo and Juliet meets organised crime.”

And this is only the beginning.

Upcoming highlights include psychological thriller American Hostage starring Jon Hamm, the chilling A24 horror series Crystal Lake, and Kill Jackie featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Meanwhile, mystery thriller Yaga reimagines the Baba Yaga myth for modern audiences and stars Carrie-Anne Moss alongside Noah Reid.

Anime, Crime, Horror And Prestige Drama Arrive In Force

Neon is also making a serious play for anime fans, bringing beloved Crunchyroll titles including JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY and Cowboy Bebop to local audiences.

Prestige drama lovers can also expect major new titles from Fifth Season, including The Good Daughter starring Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy, crime drama The Blame with Michelle Keegan, and The Westies from Narcos creator Chris Brancato.

And if that wasn’t enough, Neon is also refreshing its library with iconic binge-worthy titles including Downton Abbey, Dawson’s Creek, Ray Donovan, Scrubs, Atlanta and Homeland.

Local Stories Remain Front And Centre

Despite the huge international slate, Neon is continuing to double down on local storytelling.

New Sky Originals include crime drama Bust Up starring Morgana O’Reilly and Roimata Fox, while comedy Good Bones featuring Josh Thomson is set to arrive later in the year.

Family audiences are also getting fresh adventures with the return of Secrets of Red Rocks alongside new animated projects Tralala and The Last Moa.

On the film side, exclusive releases including The Running Man, The Long Walk, Kangaroo, Sentimental Value, Splitsville and The SpongeBob Movie are all headed to the platform, joined by local features Not Only Fred Dagg but Also John Clarke and Grace: A Prayer for Peace.

Sky Drama Is Ready To Turn Up The Heat

And the expansion doesn’t stop there.

As part of Sky’s broader entertainment evolution, a brand-new channel titled Sky Drama will launch in early June for Entertainment customers, offering a curated weekly line-up of premium dramas, major new releases and international favourites.

With The Audacity, Dutton Ranch, The Agency and AMC horror thriller The Terror: Devil in Silver all on the slate, Sky Drama looks ready to become essential viewing for audiences craving prestige television.

Between Neon’s refreshed identity, massive content push and distinctly Kiwi personality, it’s clear the local streaming contender is no longer content with simply competing in the streaming wars. It wants to own the conversation.

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The expanded agreement delivers a hefty slate of exclusive, first-run scripted series alongside an extended movie output deal, meaning Sony’s biggest TV titles and films will land on Sky platforms following their theatrical and home entertainment windows. It’s a move that reinforces Sky’s position as the country’s premium home for bold, buzz-driven entertainment.

Leading the charge is The Lady, arriving on NEON and Sky On Demand from 24 February. The four-part drama charts the shocking rise and catastrophic fall of Jane Andrews, a former royal dresser who entered Buckingham Palace as Sarah Ferguson’s aide before becoming the centre of one of Britain’s most infamous murder cases. It’s true-crime-tinged prestige drama with serious edge — exactly the kind of appointment viewing Sky thrives on.

Later in 2026 comes American Hostage, a tense psychological thriller set in the 1970s and starring Jon Hamm as Indianapolis radio reporter Fred Heckman. Inspired by real events, the series plunges into a claustrophobic 63-hour hostage crisis that turns a broadcaster into the linchpin of a high-stakes standoff. It’s sweaty, pressure-cooker drama built for bingeing.

On the film front, Sky has also extended its long-running movie deal with Sony Pictures, significantly boosting the depth and range of titles available across Sky, NEON and Sky Open. Audiences can expect a stacked pipeline of recent hits, upcoming releases and fan-favourite library titles following their cinema and home entertainment runs — including Materialists, 28 Years Later, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, I Know What You Did Last Summer (the recent 2025 release), the Karate Kid franchise (including Karate Kid: Legends), Caught Stealing and Anaconda. It’s a genre-spanning mix designed to satisfy casual viewers and cinephiles alike.

Sky also remains the exclusive New Zealand home of the Outlander universe, one of its most-watched and most-loved franchises. The final season of Outlander arrives on 7 March, while prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood is set to return for a second season. For fans, the entire saga continues to live in one place, with the full catalogue available across Sky and NEON.

Beyond shiny new releases, the Sony partnership supercharges Sky’s library offering with hundreds of hours of must-watch television. That includes Community (exclusive to Sky), alongside heavy hitters like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul (both exclusive to Sky and NEON), plus The Tudors, Dawson’s Creek and S.W.A.T., which lands on Sky for the first time.

Sky Head of Entertainment Fiona Murray says the expanded deal reflects a clear, data-driven commitment to delivering world-class storytelling. The partnership, she notes, brings scale, stability and a steady stream of premium drama and film to Sky customers — ensuring Sky and NEON remain the go-to platforms for the best international content.
From Sony’s side, Adam Herr, SVP Distribution Asia-Pacific, describes the agreement as a natural evolution of a long-standing collaboration, built on a shared ambition to deliver must-watch television and cinema to New Zealand audiences.

For viewers, the message is simple: more prestige drama, more blockbuster movies, and more reasons to stay glued to Sky and NEON.

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Watch the brand new teaser trailer for Rivals Season Two below:

Best described as the naughtiest show on television, Rivals was an instant success when it debuted on Hulu and Disney+, and brought audiences back to the bonkbuster salaciousness and scandals of the mi-1980s, and audiences were smitten with this rollicking good time.

Now the action is about to get hotter as Season Two looms and noted rogue and rebel Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and is locked into a battle of wits and wills with his arch rival, the conniving and malicious Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), for control and power of the media and money machine of Rutshire, and it’s all about to get saucy.

The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase. More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.

Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos. Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?

Season One ended on a hell of a shocking twist, and those twists are going to keep on coming, as new characters come to the forefront including the return of Campbell-Black’s ex-wife, and the mother of his two children Helen Gordon (Hayley Atwell), and it’s about to make things a lot more complicated for Rupert and his new romantic interest in the impressionable Agatha ‘Taggie’ O’Hara (Bella Maclean).

 

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Brace yourself for all kinds of naughtiness when Rivals returns in two six-episode batches, the first will debut on May 15 with a three-episode premiere and the second batch will follow later in the year on Disney+.

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Prime Video is taking us back to where it all began with Elle, the highly anticipated Legally Blonde prequel series from Hello Sunshine and Amazon MGM Studios, premiering July 1 and streaming exclusively in over 240 countries worldwide. And in a move that screams confidence, the series has already scored an early Season Two renewal ahead of its debut.

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Set in high school, Elle traces the formative years of everyone’s favourite pink-clad powerhouse, unpacking the moments, missteps, and victories that shaped her into the cultural icon we met in the original Legally Blonde. It’s a coming-of-age story drenched in optimism, ambition, and unapologetic femininity; because being underestimated was never Elle Woods’ weakness. It was her superpower.

Reese Witherspoon, who first brought Elle Woods to life 25 years ago, calls the series a dream realised. Watching newcomer Lexi Minetree step into those legendary heels is, she says, nothing short of magical. With themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself, Elle promises to speak just as loudly to longtime fans as it does to a brand-new generation discovering Elle Woods for the first time.

Twenty-five years after the world met Elle Woods for the first time, it’s a dream come true to share the story of how she became the unstoppable force we all fell in love with,” said Reese Witherspoon. “Discovering Lexi Minetree and watching her step into Elle’s fabulous shoes has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career. I think our series’ themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself will resonate deeply with fans of the original films and new audiences alike. Working with our incredible Hello Sunshine team, Amazon and our visionary writers and directors to bring Elle’s high school journey to life has been a tremendous joy. I can’t wait to share Season One with the world and start rolling cameras on Season Two!”

“Elle captures the heart, confidence, and optimism that made Elle Woods an enduring cultural icon, while giving audiences a fresh and deeply personal coming-of-age story,” said Peter Friedlander, Global Head of Television, Amazon MGM Studios. “Ordering a second season speaks to our belief in the creative vision and the incredible team behind the series, and we’re excited for audiences to experience Elle’s journey starting with Season One.”

Created by Laura Kittrell (Insecure), co-showrun with Caroline Dries, and directed in part by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect), the series blends heart, humour, and high-school drama with the polish of a legacy franchise done right. Minetree is joined by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott as Elle’s parents, grounding the glitter in genuine warmth.

Smart. Stylish. Soft, and secretly unstoppable. Elle isn’t just a prequel. It’s a reminder that confidence, compassion, and a little pink can change everything. Class is in session, and Elle Woods is already top of the curve.

Elle premieres July 1, exclusively on Prime Video.

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The new deal unlocks a stacked pipeline of premium drama, procedurals, comedy and kids’ programming from SHOWTIME, Paramount+ and CBS — delivering a steady stream of world-class content straight to New Zealand audiences. Front and centre is the next chapter in the Yellowstone universe, with Luke Grimes set to reprise his fan-favourite role as Kayce Dutton in the upcoming spinoff Y: Marshals, landing on Sky and NEON in early 2026.

Taylor Sheridan fans are especially well-fed here. Alongside Y: Marshals, the agreement secures highly anticipated new projects including The Madison and Dutton Ranch, further reinforcing Sky’s grip on prestige, high-stakes drama and cementing its position as the local destination for Sheridan’s ever-expanding frontier empire.

The partnership also ensures Sky and NEON subscribers retain access to proven hits and audience favourites across CBS, SHOWTIME and Paramount+. That includes series such as Yellowjackets, Dexter, FBI, CIA and Boston Blue, alongside a fresh wave of originals like The Agency: Central Intelligence, Girl Taken, and the next evolution of TV’s most infamous anti-hero in Dexter: Resurrection.

Beyond the headline titles, the deal stretches deep into Paramount’s library, delivering thousands of hours of premium scripted and comedy content. Iconic franchises including Billions, Ray Donovan and Twin Peaks sit alongside a robust lineup of CBS procedurals, ensuring Sky’s catalogue remains as rich as it is addictive.

Sky Chief Executive Sophie Moloney described the agreement as a major step forward in the company’s entertainment strategy, noting that Yellowstone proved a standout performer for Sky customers in FY25. The expanded partnership, she says, is about doubling down on what audiences clearly want — premium storytelling, iconic franchises, and shows that cut through the noise.

Paramount echoed the sentiment, with President of International and Global Content Distribution Kevin MacLellan calling the deal a strategic expansion that brings more proven IP and premium series to New Zealand viewers, strengthening the local market while keeping must-watch content accessible.

For Sky and NEON audiences, the message is clear: the pipeline is locked, the brands are stacked, and premium television is about to be taken to a new level.

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The first instalment in Ryan Murphy’s Love Story anthology, this nine-episode limited series dives headlong into the whirlwind romance of one of the 20th century’s most mythologised couples. Inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the series captures the lightning-strike chemistry between John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly), America’s closest thing to royalty, and Carolyn Bessette (Sarah Pidgeon), a fiercely independent fashion force whose elegance and restraint made her an icon in her own right.

This is not just a tale of glamour and good genes. It’s a story of two people trying, and often failing, to protect something intimate while the world watches. John, forever framed by legacy and expectation, and Carolyn, navigating fame she never sought, find their private devotion relentlessly tested by tabloids, public scrutiny, and the suffocating weight of obsession.

Backed by a stacked ensemble including Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, and Constance Zimmer as media maven Ann Marie Messina, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette leans into the beauty and the heartbreak. It’s lush, emotional, and unafraid to interrogate the cost of living a love story in plain sight.

We’re still awaiting our first look at the trailer for Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, this has all the trappings of a tantalising watch, and given its historical significance, lasting media intrigue, and the glamour of its two central protagonists, audiences will be salivating for this series over Valentine’s Day.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette launches with its first three episodes on February 13, followed by weekly instalments every Friday on Disney+. Tragic, tender, and tragically romantic, this is a reminder that even fairy tales can fracture when the world refuses to look away.

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And mark your calendars now: Scarpetta premieres March 11, 2026, streaming exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories. This one is global. This one is huge. And from the looks of these first images… this one is going to cut deep.

Oscar winner Nicole Kidman steps into the role of Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the brilliant, relentless, cold-steel medical examiner whose scalpel-sharp mind has enthralled readers for decades. Kidman’s Scarpetta is a woman who refuses to be intimidated: whether by grisly crime scenes, the ghosts of the past, or a serial killer who’s not finished with her yet.

This adaptation leans hard into what fans love: Scarpetta’s unwavering commitment to giving victims a voice, her forensic brilliance, and the emotional weight that comes with being the last line of truth in a world built on lies. And yes, that legendary “career-making case” from nearly thirty years ago? It’s coming back with a vengeance, and Scarpetta is determined it won’t be the case that finally breaks her.

At the helm is Emmy-nominated writer and showrunner Liz Sarnoff (Barry, Lost), a storyteller who knows how to build tension, character, and dread with masterful precision. Sarnoff crafts Scarpetta as a dual-timeline psychological thriller, tracing Kay’s evolution from a rising Chief Medical Examiner in the late ’90s to her modern-day return to her hometown, and the bloody case waiting for her.

Expect a series that digs deeper than the average crime procedural. This is about trauma, identity, obsession, and the price demanded by justice. Secrets rot beneath the surface, loyalties are strained, scars are reopened, and family ties, especially the fraught relationship between Kay and her sister Dorothy, threaten to combust under pressure.

Prime Video has assembled a knockout cast to bring Cornwell’s characters to the screen:

• Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta — forensic pathologist, truth-seeker, lionheart.
• Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Farinelli — Kay’s complicated, sharp-edged sister with secrets of her own.
• Bobby Cannavale as Detective Pete Marino — Scarpetta’s longtime ally, confidant, and occasional thorn.
• Simon Baker as Benton Wesley — the cool, calculating FBI profiler who’s as enigmatic as he is brilliant.
• Ariana DeBose as Lucy Watson — Kay’s niece, a fearless, tech-prodigy firecracker with skills that could save lives… or destroy them.

Completing the dual-timeline structure are Rosy McEwen, Amanda Righetti, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish, who bring the younger versions of the core cast to life with intensity and precision.

With powerhouse talent both in front of and behind the camera, a legacy name in the crime genre, and a first-look that already drips with mood, precision, and dread, Scarpetta is shaping up to be one of 2026’s must-watch thrillers.

Crime fans, forensic junkies, psychological drama lovers, sharpen your senses. Kay Scarpetta is coming. And the truth is about to be cut wide open when Scarpetta drops on Prime Video on March 11, 2026.

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