HBO could launch Portuguese OTT TV service

HBO is planning to launch a dedicated service in Portugal, according to a local press report.

According to Dinheiro Vivo, the US subscription video-on-demand service is planning to launch a service in the country and is hiring staff for the project.

HBO has been present in the Portuguese market since 2015 through a partnership with pay TV operator NOS, with its content distributed on NOS’s TV Cine & Séries channels.

NOS told Dinheiro Vivo that it was currently “reviewing the scope” of its partnership with HBO. The paper said that HBO had declined to comment on specific plans for Portugal.

HBO launched in Spain in 2016, initially in an exclusive partnership with Vodafone, which had previously enjoyed an exclusive deal with the streamer’s main rival, Netflix.

NOS launched its own SVOD service – N Play – two years ago to take on Netflix in the Portuguese market.