Sept 16 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery ( WBD ) is set

to launch its HBO Max streaming service in 14 new markets across

the Asia Pacific on October 15, the media firm said on Tuesday.

The move follows July's expansion to places including

Albania, Armenia and Georgia, which took the total number of

markets where the service is available to over 90.

The global expansion has strengthened Warner Bros

Discovery's ( WBD ) position in the fiercely competitive international

streaming market.

The company on Tuesday said it will bring popular

entertainment brands including HBO, Harry Potter, the DC

Universe and Cartoon Network to new markets including

Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Pakistan

and Sri Lanka.

Its streaming unit, which also includes Discovery+, had

added 3.4 million subscribers globally in the second quarter.

The company is planning to split its assets into studio- and

streaming-focused Warner Bros and cable-centric Discovery Global

by mid-2026.

Newly merged Paramount Skydance ( PSKY ) is preparing a bid

for Warner Bros Discovery ( WBD ) with backing from Oracle founder Larry

Ellison, Reuters reported last week, citing a source familiar

with the matter.