Foxtel is expected to extend its content deal with HBO as the American pay-TV network’s plans to launch its streaming service, HBO Max, in Australia is delayed.
HBO Max is currently operational in 61 countries across the US, Latin America and Europe. The streaming platform was expected to be launched Down Under in 2024 but will likely be in 2025, according to the AFR.
This puts Foxtel in a position to re-sign its deal with the American network for its leading content – such as The Last of Us, Succession, White Lotus, Euphoria and House of the Dragon – to be available on its own streaming platform, Binge.
House of the Dragon
HBO shows have proven to be a key element to Binge’s success over the last year. House of the Dragon broke viewing records in Australia across Foxtel and Binge when it premiered on Monday, August 22.
The Games of Thrones spin-off set a new viewing record with 1.235 million viewers watching the first episode, becoming the biggest premiere for any show in history across Foxtel and Binge.
See also: House of the Dragon breaks viewing records in debut week
HBO’s latest hot offering, The Last of Us, also broke streaming records for the Australian streaming platform with the AFR reporting episodes one to four of the post-apocalyptic drama, based on a 2013 video game of the same name, delivered 1.1 million viewers per episode.
Pedro Pascal in The Last Of Us with Nico Parker
Depending on upcoming license dealings between Foxtel and HBO, content from the American network could continue on the Australian platform until 2025 or Warner Bros launches HBO Max, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
HBO programs and Warner Bros shows was previously available on the streaming service Stan, owned by Nine Entertainment Co, however Foxtel outbid Nine in 2020 for a deal believed to be worth $200 million.
In the past, Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive and president David Zaslav and global streaming boss Jean-Briac Perrette revealed the company’s plans of expanding its launch across “key Asia Pacific territories and some new European markets” in 2024, as reported by the AFR.
However, the decision to delay comes as the government is reviewing regulations surrounding how media giants license content and run operations.