Everything you need to know about HBO in Australia
HBO has been a stalwart in the world of television, with the channel known for being the go-to for all things a little bit too violent for traditional channels. While historically only available in the US, with the increase in streaming platforms available in Australia, it stands to reason that Aussies can settle in for a night of HBO content, right? It’s a bit tricky, but if you’re wanting to watch HBO in Australia, read on to find out all you need to know in this Canstar Blue guide.
How do I get HBO in Australia?
Barring the use of several workarounds such as a VPN to access US streaming, there is currently no way to access the HBO channel in Australia legally, unless you go through Foxtel and the ‘Fox Showcase’ channel.
In saying that, Aussies can get HBO content on multiple streaming services, including BINGE, although this isn’t through HBO directly. However, it does come in handy when you want to watch your favourite HBO show or movie.
Watch HBO on Foxtel
Foxtel has been the mainstay within the Aussie streaming landscape, and while it may have lost some ground to the behemoths of Netflix and Stan, it still offers a variety of shows, movies and programs to suit a whole family of streaming needs. Foxtel has HBO content within its scope of shows and movies, with most HBO content available on Channel 114, known as ‘Fox Showcase’, although this will be dependent on your show or movie of choice.
Fox Showcase is available through a number of Foxtel packages, including the Foxtel Plus Package, or the Foxtel Now Essentials Base Pack.
Watch HBO on BINGE
BINGE offers a wide range of television shows and movies for streamers to watch. While offering a library of content as oppose to Foxtel’s range of content-specific channels, BINGE has a number of HBO shows and movies within its library, although what they offer is dependent on its agreement with the production studios, so you may be able to watch your favourite HBO show now, but not further down the line. HBO content available on BINGE includes:
- Game of Thrones
- The Sopranos
- The Wire
- Band of Brothers
- Watchmen
- Westworld
- Entourage
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Little Big Lies
- Ballers
- Euphoria
Sign up to BINGE!
Are you looking for something binge-worthy? Why not check out BINGE? With multiple subscription plans available, you can choose a plan that suits you (or your family) and settle in for a night on the couch with a wide range of movies and shows!
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $10 over one month |
1 | $10 |
Go To Site |
|
min. cost $19 over one month |
2 | $19 |
Go To Site |
|
min. cost $22 over one month |
4 | $22 |
Go To Site |
 |
^^View important information | |||
Telstra, Foxtel Now and HBO
Telstra offers add-on Foxtel packages as an option to add on to broadband plans, where $80 can get you unlimited data for your NBN plan, then add on your Foxtel bundle of choice. You can also sign up to Foxtel Now from $25 per month in addition to your Telstra plan.
The below table features a selection of Telstra NBN plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a wider range of telco providers. These are products with links to a referral partner.
What is HBO Max?
HBO Max – formally known as HBO Now – is HBO’s own streaming platform, and offers content from HBO itself, as well as content from its parent company, WarnerMedia. Unfortunately, like the HBO channel itself, HBO Max isn’t available in Australia.
Will HBO ever come to Australia?
Aussies admittedly have it pretty tough when it comes to streaming US content. HBO Max is famously one of the only services notably absent from the landscape, and this is due to its partnership with Foxtel, and subsequently BINGE.
For the technologically inclined, those with a VPN may be able to bypass local IP blocking and get access to US HBO Now, but it’s a grey area at best and you’ll have to do your research here. Nevertheless, HBO has birthed some strongly desirable and addictive content, including Game of Thrones amid countless other shows, meaning it may be well worth investigating further, although there’s currently no word of the HBO channel, or HBO Max, making an appearance Down Under any time soon.
Sign up to Disney+ Australia
After some Disney classics? Sign up to Disney+! There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $13.99 over one month |
4 | $13.99 |
Get Deal |
|
min. cost $139.99 over one year |
4 | $139.99 |
Get Deal |
|
^^View important information | |||
About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.