Participants have begun the four-month programme, developing original, locally rooted series concepts that they will present to HBO Max executives in November.

WBD Access, Warner Bros. Discovery’s talent development division, and HBO Max, in collaboration with Series Mania Institute, today announced the 12 writers selected for the 2026 edition of Script Engine, a European writers’ programme supporting mid-level screenwriters as they develop original, locally rooted series.

Three writers from each participating market -France, Germany, Italy and Spain- were selected following a competitive application process.

From France, the writers are Tolula Dada, Justine Gautier and Storm Sigal-Battesti. Germany’s selected writers are Tunde Aladese, Stefanie Ren and Ben Braeunlich. Italy’s cohort comprises Tommaso Matano, Emanuele Mochi and Simona Nobile. In Spain, the selected writers are Jesica Aran, Lidia Fraga and Miguel Mayorga Moscoso.

The programme began with a professional development week in London with a series of workshops, masterclasses and networking opportunities led by HBO Max executives including Joey Chavez, EVP, Drama, Clint LaVigne, SVP, Drama Programming and Jennifer Wessner, Drama and International Programming, alongside industry experts such as showrunner, writer and producer Dr. Neal Baer (Designated Survivor, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, ER).

Across the programme, writers will benefit from the expertise of HBO Max market advisors and a network of established industry mentors. The HBO Max advisors include Clémentine Bobin and Louise Le Puloch (France); Dirk Engelhardt and Philipp Walz (Germany); Elettra Canovi and Sara De Acetis (Italy); and Victoria Dal Vera (Spain). The market mentors include Mehdi Ouahab, writer, director and script consultant (France); Steve Matthews, Head of Scripted Creative at Banijay Entertainment (Germany); Giordana Mari, screenwriter (Italy); and Mariano Baselga, writer, executive producer, story editor and development executive (Spain).

Participants are now moving into a four-month structured development phase combining high-level training, regional coaching and one-to-one mentoring, with the aim of supporting their development of an original series concept. Early concept ideas range from thrillers, crime series and dramas, each locally rooted in their respective markets. The programme will culminate in the participants attending an in-person Project Presentation Day, where they will present to regional HBO Max executives.

The cohort is led by the lead facilitator Frank Spotnitz, award-winning series creator, writer (Leonardo, The X-Files, The Man in the High Castle, Medici, Ransom) and producer, and the founder and CEO of Big Light Productions, which is currently in production on The Trial of Louise Woodward starring Meghann Fahy. Spotnitz is well known for supporting writers, leading writers’ rooms on his productions, hosting an apprenticeship initiative at Big Light Productions and, since 2013, he has taught at the Serial Eyes postgraduate television training programme at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB), where Spotnitz is a founding tutor.

Frank Spotnitz, CEO, Big Light Productions, said: “European storytelling has never been in greater demand. Audiences around the world are looking for distinctive voices and stories that reflect different cultures and perspectives, and European writers are increasingly creating work that travels internationally. Script Engine is important because it doesn’t just help writers develop their craft, it introduces them to a collaborative way of working that empowers writers to do their best work. By encouraging creative ambition, intellectual rigor and the free exchange of ideas, the programme gives mid-level writers the confidence, skills and professional mindset to build sustainable international careers.”

Grace Moss, VP, Inclusion Pipeline Programs, said: “WBD Access exists to cultivate creative talent and create pathways into the WBD ecosystem. Script Engine brings that ambition to life through an expanded cohort, a multi-month curriculum, and close collaboration with the local HBO Max teams. The programme gives writers the creative development, industry insight and professional connections to take the next step in their careers within Europe’s growing television landscape.”

Pierre Ziemniak, Director of Programs, Series Mania Institute, said: “From the initial launch at Series Mania Forum to the organisation of a masterclass, Series Mania Institute is proud to support the Script Engine initiative. Drawing on our extensive European professional network, we worked with WBD Access to identify a cohort of 12 mid-level writers with strong, locally rooted concepts. What stands out to us is the richness of the storytelling, the creative ambition of the participants, and the way the programme empowers European writers to think collaboratively and globally.”

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Inspired by one of Mexico’s most shocking criminal cases, Mataviejitas is a psychological thriller, produced by Exile Content and directed by Humberto Hinojosa, with José Manuel Cravioto as co-director.

HBO Max announced the start of production on Mataviejitas, a new HBO original series in Mexico that expands Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy to strengthen its offering of Latin American original productions. The project is produced by Exile Content and directed by Humberto Hinojosa, with José Manuel Cravioto as co-director.

Inspired by one of Mexico’s most shocking criminal cases, Mataviejitas is a psychological thriller that explores themes of persecution, obsession, prejudice, and social fractures, with a distinctly auteur-driven approach and a strong local identity.

The production brings together two of Mexico’s most established filmmakers in fiction. Humberto Hinojosa, known for titles such as Luis Miguel: The Series, Las Viudas de los Jueves, and La Cabeza de Joaquín Murrieta, leads the direction and creative vision of the project, while José Manuel Cravioto (Diablero, El Chapo, and Mexican Gangster) serves as co-director.

“We are very excited about Mataviejitas because it combines the suspense and tension of a great crime thriller with a deeply Mexican identity that runs throughout the story. Added to this is an extraordinary cast and a creative team that embraced the project with enormous passion and sensitivity. That combination of a powerful story and exceptional talent makes us confident that it will connect with audiences both within and outside the region,” said Mariano César, Head of General Entertainment Content for Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America and US Hispanic.

Humberto Hinojosa highlighted the local character of the production: “It has always been very important for me to tell stories that are part of the collective memory and popular culture of Mexico City. Mataviejitas is a story that could only have happened here, with its own identity, language, and sensibility. The process with HBO has been extraordinary, with enormous trust and true teamwork from development to the start of filming.”

The cast is led by Mayra Hermosillo (Narcos: Mexico, Sierra Madre: Prohibido Pasar, Las Viudas de los Jueves) and Mónica Jiménez (La Usurpadora, El Señor de los Cielos).

Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it will soon release more details about the production. Mataviejitas is an HBO original series produced by Exile Content for Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform will roll out its artificial intelligence-driven advertising solution across Europe and Latin America before the end of 2026.

HBO Max has announced the international expansion of Moments, its AI-powered contextual advertising format designed to help brands connect with audiences through the content they are watching. The so-called product placement strategy allows brands to showcase their products within scenes from series and films, increasing visibility among viewers and encouraging interest in the same items used by their favorite characters.

Developed in partnership with KERV.ai, the tool analyzes visual, audio and contextual signals across series, movies and original productions to identify themes, emotions and on-screen elements. Based on this analysis, advertisers can align their campaigns with specific moments in the content, matching their messages with categories such as food, fashion, beauty, fitness, wellness and luxury.

According to the company, Moments will be available in selected international markets before the end of 2026, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the Nordics, Brazil and Mexico, among other territories.

The solution offers episode-level targeting, scalability across HBO Max’s entire content library and a privacy-first approach, relying on contextual signals rather than personal data to deliver advertising.

Warner Bros. Discovery revealed that more than 25,000 “moments” have already been identified across the platform’s catalog. In the US, where the tool is already active, campaigns using Moments have generated a 19% increase in viewer engagement and a 13% uplift in purchase intent.

“Bringing Moments to international markets is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s broader ambition to create smarter advertising opportunities built on the strength of our premium content and brands,” said Daniel Barnes, Head of Global Advertising Revenue at HBO Max.

“We want to help advertisers show up in ways that are more relevant, thoughtful and effective. Moments offers a new way to align with the content that is already capturing viewers’ attention, while also contributing to a better platform experience,” the executive added.

With this launch, HBO Max is strengthening its advertising monetization strategy and expanding contextual targeting capabilities for advertisers, at a time when streaming platforms continue to develop new solutions to maximize campaign relevance without relying on users’ personal data.

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The executive will assume responsibility for the streaming platform’s fiction projects in the country.

HBO Max announced the appointment of Guillermo Farré as the new Head of Original Local Production in Spain, assuming full responsibility for the streaming platform’s fiction projects in the country.

Farré will report directly to Deniz Sasmaz Oflaz, VP of Local Originals for Spain, Italy, and Turkey at HBO Max.

This appointment reinforces the company’s commitment to promoting relevant local content, guided by a clear creative vision, within the framework of the new International Local Originals structure led by Sarah Aubrey.

Guillermo Farré commented: “I am excited and honored to join HBO Max at such a pivotal moment for the company, following Sarah and Deniz’s vision.” Spain is a source of extraordinary creative talent, and I look forward to working with the industry’s most innovative creators to develop distinctive and ambitious projects that possess local authenticity and the potential to connect with global audiences.”

Sarah Aubrey said: “Guillermo brings a rare combination of creative instinct and strategic discipline, with a proven ability to drive outstanding local stories. His appointment marks the next stage for our Spanish Originals team as we build on a solid foundation and continue to evolve our catalog with a clear and focused vision. We are refining how we develop and produce local content, supporting distinctive voices and ensuring that each project has the ambition and quality to resonate both locally and globally.”

HBO Max remains committed to premium Spanish fiction and to building a robust pipeline of future projects with the industry’s top talent. This push includes the first-look deal recently signed by HBO Max with independent producer Domingo Corral, whose first fiction project, centered on the disappearance of El Nani, is already underway, written and directed by Alberto Rodríguez in collaboration with Rafa Cobos.

Until now, Guillermo Farré (Madrid, 1980) has led the Spanish film strategy for Telefónica Group’s Movistar Plus platform, an area that includes the production of original feature films, as well as the acquisition of rights.

Under his leadership, Farré has spearheaded the production of original Movistar Plus films such as Oliver Laxe’s Sirat (nominated for two Academy Awards in 2026), Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s Los domingos (winner of the Goya Award for Best Film in 2026 and the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián Film Festival in 2025), Alberto Rodríguez’s Los Tigres, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s El ser querido, and Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo’s La bola negra (winners of the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026).

Farré joined the Telefónica platform in January 2023 after a long tenure at Warner Bros. Discovery, where he was responsible for content and editorial strategy for the film and series brands in Spain, France, and Africa. As part of his responsibilities, he led the original production strategy, launching series for TNT and HBO Max such as the three seasons of Vota Juan, Maricón Perdido or No me gusta conducir, as well as numerous documentaries for TCM in Spain and France.

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The platform released the official trailer for the original production, which follows the personal and professional life of UFC champion Ilia Topuria and his family circle.

HBO Max announced that Los Topuria will premiere globally on June 5. The new original docuseries, produced by Señor Mono, consists of three 50-minute episodes and will offer an inside look at the life of Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria, alongside his family and closest circle.

The production traces the athlete’s journey from winning his first featherweight world title to preparing for the historic UFC Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14 at the White House. According to the platform, the series will provide unprecedented access to the fighter’s private life, portraying his roles as a father, son, brother, entrepreneur and global MMA figure.

Beyond Topuria’s sports career, the docuseries also aims to highlight the stories of sacrifice and discipline behind his rapid rise within the UFC, as well as the key role played by his family and professional team throughout the process.

Los Topuria is produced by Señor Mono for HBO Max in Spain, with executive production by Ilia Topuria and Íñigo Pérez-Tabernero on behalf of the production company, and María Rubio and Zaida Serrano-Piedecasas for the platform.

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The series produced by Somos Productions and Pinolywood Studios, premieres next May 18 on HBO Max.

The series Lucy es el 7, produced by Somos Productions and Pinolywood Studios, premieres next May 18 on HBO Max.

Lucy es el 7 is a youth musical produced in Puerto Rico, a genre of much popularity in the audience and a proven strength of the producing company of Somos Group. The series arrives on HBO Max to Latin America as part of the agreement with Somos Distribution, the global content distribution company that is part of Somos Group and led by Luis Villanueva.

Lucy es el 7 consists of 10 episodes and tells the story of Lucy, a pretty girl whose imagination is very particular. In the universe of her thoughts, she sees the people around her as if they were characters from an oriental anime. The one she sees the most in her imaginary world is Anthony, a boy who fights to become a popular singer and to have many fans who follow him on his social networks, although until now he has only one…Lucy.

Lucy wishes, with all her energy, to become a great music star, but not alone, rather together with Anthony because she has always been in love with him. Lucy always knew what her most important goal was: to share stages with Anthony until they become successful international artists. Anthony’s goal is to form a “K‑Pop” group, which must have 7 boys. This story, with all its incidents, is the basis of a production that includes catchy songs and attractive choreography on the stages of the island of Puerto Rico. The episodes of Lucy es el 7 will all be available for the audience’s enjoyment.

Luis Villanueva, president and CEO of Somos Group, declared: “We are very happy with the premiere of this series on HBO Max, which confirms the quality of a fun production with great appeal for an important demographic and in a key territory. We are pleased with its premiere on HBO Max, one of the most important platforms in the world and at the forefront of new entertainment consumption habits. We anticipate that the success of the series will strengthen the relationships between our companies.

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Produced by CN LA Original Productions, the series will premiere on April 13.

La huella del oro, the first adult animated series produced by CN LA Original Productions, premieres on HBO Max and Adult Swim on April 13.

A bold and cinematic story told in a single half-hour episode, it follows Fafner, a mercenary searching for a trail of gold coins that will lead him to his inevitable destiny.

Between battles against an ice giant, sea monsters, and bar fights, Fafner crosses the lines between good and evil as he searches for fragments of his past and enigmas that drive him forward.

La huella del oro brings to the screen a critique of power, morality, and the superficiality of the modern world. Without dialogue, the series is driven by dynamic, cinematic animation, accompanied by a powerful soundtrack. The original voice of Fafner is provided by Mario Castañeda, who brings the character and his thoughts to life.

Created in Argentina by Daniel Duche and produced by Puño Robot and Enzo Ruso Films, La huella del oro presents intense philosophical provocations while remaining true to the core animation style of Adult Swim.

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For the first time ever, audiences in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals, all in one place on HBO Max.

HBO Max, the premier global streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, is launching in the UK and Ireland on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Already available in over 110 territories worldwide, HBO Max offers the ultimate mix of best-in-class series, movies, extraordinary real-life stories and, via TNT Sports in the UK, live sport. For the first time, audiences in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream the exclusive collection of unmissable stories from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals, all in one place via HBO Max.

HBO Max will also become the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK, giving subscribers access to top quality live sports content including the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Gallagher PREM Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, UFC, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis, Grand Tour cycling and much more.

At launch, the complete first season of 2025 Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award Winning Max Original The Pitt will be available to stream for the first time in the UK and Ireland, with episodes of the latest second season rolling out weekly.

JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “After decades of delighting audiences in the UK & Ireland with our remarkable stories and brands, it’s a huge thrill to finally bring it all together on HBO Max, and also offer it directly to all consumers. Starting at just £4.99 per month or £5.99 for our complete entertainment offer – HBO Max brings the most differentiated and best streaming offer to market.”

Andrew Georgiou President & Managing Director for Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe said: “Launching HBO Max in the UK & Ireland marks a significant moment for viewers here. HBO Max will offer them their most loved series and movies from HBO, Warner Bros. and DC Studios, alongside premium sports from TNT Sports in the UK, within an outstanding single destination for this great content and strong value proposition. Nowhere else will you be able to get The Pitt, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Lanterns, Superman, One Battle After Another, as well as the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series, all together.”

The UK & Ireland launch marks a major milestone for the service as it completes its European rollout. HBO Max launched first in the US in 2020 and has since expanded across Latin America, Europe and Asia. For Q3 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery reported 128 million streaming subscribers.

La entrada HBO Max To Launch In The UK & Ireland On March 26 se publicó primero en TTV News.