Warner Bros. Discovery officially launched its streaming platform Max in Australia this week, with CEO and president of global streaming and games JB Perrette hosting a celebratory event at Sydney’s iconic State Theatre last night.
The exclusive screening of The Last of Us season two premiere marked a significant moment for the brand’s local presence and signalled the beginning of a new chapter for Australian audiences in the streaming wars.
The cast from The Last of Us season two on stage at The State Theatre.
‘All killer, no filler’
“Audiences here have enjoyed for years the iconic original programming of HBO, Warner Bros. films and Discovery’s unscripted content. Now, it all sits in one place to fully enjoy,” said Perrette, addressing the crowd.
Max consolidates a formidable catalogue, boasting HBO’s critically acclaimed dramas like Succession and The White Lotus, Warner Bros. blockbusters such as Barbie and Wonka, and Discovery’s popular reality and factual series, including local favourites like Aussie Gold Hunters. This convergence presents a compelling proposition for advertisers seeking to reach a broad and engaged audience.
Max goes live and local
Describing the platform as a home for “oh s**t moments,” Perrette credited the global and local teams for a seamless rollout: “The launch of Max couldn’t have gone any better on Monday thanks to an enormous amount of work from our team around the world, and especially here in Australia.”
“You don’t need to look any further than a show being watched right now by tens of millions around the world. The White Lotus embodies exceptionalism and delivers numerous ‘oh s**t’ moments. Yes it’s supported by amazing performances from the cast assembled by its incredible creator, writer and director, Mike White, with the season three finale only days away,” he said.
He singled out local leaders and gave thanks to both long-time partner Foxtel and new distribution partner Nine.
“As the launch campaign says, Max is ‘all killer, no filler’. You can always expect the unexpected through extraordinary storytelling, and that’s what makes Max different,” Perrette added.
Read our chat with Sasha Mackie, senior director of marketing – streaming, studios & networks, Australia and New Zealand, here.
Plans and pricing
Max is available via three plans:
• Basic With Ads: Stream on two devices in full HD.
• Standard: Stream on two devices in full HD with up to 30 downloads for offline viewing.
• Premium: Stream on four devices in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos (where available), and up to 100 downloads.
Australians who sign up by 30 April, 2025, will receive a special promotional price for the first 12 months, available across all plans. Full details are available at www.max.com.
The platform also offers a personalised, user-friendly experience, including tailored recommendations, user profiles (with kid-friendly options and parental controls), and convenient features such as “Continue Watching,” favourites, and offline downloads (depending on plan).