Max Streaming Australia Review & Guide

Fact Checked

Streaming platform, Max, is set to become available to Aussie viewers from March 31. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Max has a variety of shows and movies from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Discovery, the DC universe and more. If you’re keen to learn more or sign up to Max, read on with Canstar Blue. 

What is Max?

Max is an American streaming service owned by Warner Brothers that launched in 2020 under the name HBO Max and was rebranded in 2023. The platform has a range of movies and television shows including HBO originals like Succession and White Lotus and Max originals including Sex and The City sequel And Just Like That. As well as original flicks and shows, Max features titles like the Barbie movie, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Friends and Rick and Morty. 

How much does Max cost?

Max will offer three subscription tiers—Basic with Ads, Standard, and Premium—allowing users to choose a plan that best suits their viewing habits. As an introductory offer, Australians who subscribe by April 30 can access discounted rates for the first 12 months.

• Basic with Ads: $7.99/month (launch price) for two simultaneous streams in Full HD.
• Standard: $11.99/month (launch price) with ad-free content, Full HD streaming, and up to 30 downloads.
• Premium: $17.99/month (launch price) offering 4K resolution, Dolby Atmos sound, and up to 100 downloads.

Post-launch, regular pricing will apply, starting at $11.99 per month for the Basic plan, $15.99 per month for the Standard plan and $21.99 per month for Premium.

Max will be available to Foxtel subscribers for no additional cost. If you have an iQ3, iQ4 or iQ5 set-top box, the Max Basic with Ads plan can be incorporated into your Foxtel subscription. Just make sure you keep an eye on your inbox for instructions from Foxtel on how to sign up. 

What’s the difference between the Max plans?

The main difference between Max plans is the ad free or ad-supported options and the number of devices you can stream from at the same time. On a basic plan, you will be able to stream on two devices at once, but you will have to deal with ads. The standard plan allows you to stream on two devices as well, with the added feature of being able to download up to 30 shows or movies. With the premium plan, you can stream on four devices at once on 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos, as available, and download up to 100 shows or movies. 

How can I watch Max?

Like other streaming services, Max is accessible on phones, laptops and televisions, as well as tablets, computers, gaming consoles, set-top boxes and streaming players. You can access the platform both on a web browser or on the Max app. 

What happens to HBO content on Binge?

From March 31 much of the HBO content library on Binge will move across to Max. Warner Bros. Discovery content including HBO shows Game of Thrones, Succession, Euphoria and Curb Your Enthusiasm will be removed from Binge on March 31. The White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones and The Pitt fans will still be able to catch new episodes when they air on Binge until the end of the current season. After that, they will start to air on Max. 

What’s the best way to get Max?

If Max sounds like the streaming service for you, you can sign up by visiting the Max website, choosing your preferred subscription tier and entering your payment details. The Max app will also be available from the Apple Store and Google Play Store on March 31.  

Is a Max subscription worth it?

If you’re in the market for a new subscription to a streaming platform, Max might be the option for you. The platform has a variety of shows and movies available, from hard hitting documentaries and dramas to comedies and kids shows, there’s something to keep everyone entertained. Plus, if your favourite things to watch tend to be HBO or Max originals, then a subscription to Max could be well worth the investment.