Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has launched its cornerstone streaming service Max in Australia.
The launch fulfills a promise made earlier this year, which will see WBD partner with Foxtel to make the streaming service available to pay TV customers across the country.
One ad-supported tier and two commercial-free plans are available to streamers who purchase Max through Foxtel. Max with Ads costs AU $8 per month (around U.S. $5 per month), while Max Standard costs AU $12 per month (around U.S. $7.50 per month). Both plans include high-definition streaming of content on two devices at the same time. Max Premium bumps the number of simultaneous streams to four and unlocks access to ultra-high definition (UHD/4K) video for AU $18 per month (around U.S. $11.30 per month).
All prices are for the first year of service, WBD and Foxtel said this week. The prices of each plan will increase after April 30. Annual plans are also available, which unlocks around two free months compared to the typical monthly price of service when streamers agree to pre-pay for a full year up front.
“The launch of Max in Australia continues our exciting global expansion,” J. B. Perrette, the CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, said in a statement. “While the Max brand may be new to Australians, the programming engines at the heart of it – including HBO, Discovery, Warner Bros, Harry Potter, the DC Universe – are already loved by audiences here. Now for the first time, these brands come together alongside additional premium content from WBD’s portfolio, to offer a distinct streaming proposition for local fans.”
“From the world’s most talked about series, iconic franchises and hit blockbuster movies to compelling factual programming, reality favorites and kids’ content, Max offers thousands of hours of premium entertainment in one new streaming home,” James Gibbons, the President of WBD’s Asia-Pacific business, said this week. “With three different pricing plans, broad device capability, and several distribution partners for maximum reach, our deep vault of content has never been more accessible for Australians.”
Rather than go at it alone, WBD chose to partner with Foxtel for the launch of Max in Australia, with streamers able to pay for the service through the monthly bill as their pay TV service. Foxtel has some exclusive domestic rights to WBD-owned content in the country.
Foxtel previously offered HBO content through its own direct-to-consumer service, called Binge.
In addition to Australia, Max is available in a number of other countries, including New Zealand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, among others.
