However, the standalone HBO Max app launched in the USA in 2020. How did that change the way we watch HBO content in Australia? Not by a lot. You can still watch it through Foxtel – but for a more HBO Max-like experience, you might find more joy in BINGE. In this guide, we'll tell you why BINGE closely resembles what we'd call HBO Max Australia.
What is HBO Max?
HBO Max is a streaming service dedicated to HBO programming. It is the same concept as what we've seen from Disney with its Disney Plus service and with NBC Universal with its Peacock streaming service. It's a direct portal between HBO and its customers for all its original TV shows and movies. HBO Max was released in the US on 27 May 2020.
Is HBO Max available in Australia?
There are no plans for HBO Max to release in Australia, at least not yet. The platform's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, confirmed that HBO Max and Discovery Plus will combine into 1 service in 2023.
The new service is expected to launch in more international markets in the near future, but no plans have been cemented yet. HBO Max employed several cost-cutting measures starting with mid-2022 such as removing content from the platform (including sci-fi Westworld) and cancelling a bunch of Max Originals such as Gossip Girl 2.0 and the Batgirl movie. If the HBO Max/Discovery Plus bundle comes to Australia, we're not expecting it any earlier than 2024.
In lieu of an Australian launch, HBO Max's content is available in Australia. In March 2023, Foxtel revealed it would remain the home of HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. and Discovery programming in Australia.
So BINGE is effectively Australia's HBO Max, although it offers a heck of a lot more than just HBO Max content.
Our recommendation
The most accessible way to stream HBO content in Australia is to subscribe to BINGE. There's no need to sign up to any packs. Straight away you're guaranteed access to HBO's large library of original shows, from Game of Thrones to Big Little Lies. You can also watch HBO Max originals such as Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Peacemaker and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Or, you can opt for Foxtel Now and add on other services such as sports.
How to watch HBO content in Australia
The best way to keep up with HBO is Australia is with BINGE and Foxtel or Foxtel Now. Both HBO and HBO Max originals stream on the platforms, so you can pick and choose based on your budget and preferred way to watch.
Stan has been able to pinch some HBO Max originals of Foxtel – such as Love Life, Hacks and Station Eleven – but these titles are outliers since they were made for HBO Max for companies other than Warner. Generally speaking, HBO content is available mainly through Foxtel and BINGE.
Thankfully, you can start enjoying HBO content right now in Australia for free with BINGE.
A 7-day free trial is available for new customers.
How much does HBO content cost in Australia?
That depends on whether you choose BINGE or Foxtel Now. Of the 2, BINGE has a free trial and is cheaper.
BINGE's Basic package costs $10 a month with HD video quality and 1 stream, but features ads. The 4K options are $19 a month and $22 a month respectively. Standard lets you watch on 2 devices at the same time, Premium on 4.
For Foxtel Now, you need to get the basic Essentials pack ($25 a month) and that should cover you for most HBO titles. It is also only available in HD quality.
However, the odd title might also be a part of other packs that you'd need to add on to the Essentials to get the full HBO experience. For example The Flight Attendant is only part of the Drama Extra pack, which if you also subscribed to that would cost $10 a month. Also, HBO occasionally does films, so to view those on Foxtel Now, such as Oslo and Bad Education, you'd also need to subscribe to the Movies pack, which if you combine with the Essentials pack costs $20.
So depending on which HBO shows and movies you'd want to watch, it could end up costing a lot to watch via Foxtel Now as you'd need to subscribe to multiple packs.
In terms of devices, both are available on computers, smartphones and tablets, Telstra TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast/Airplay, PS4 and selected smart TVs. You can see more on BINGE vs Foxtel here.
You can also take the more traditional Foxtel iQ route, though this costs significantly more than BINGE or Foxtel Now. However, it does have the benefits of a more consistent connection and the ability to record to the device.
What content does HBO Max have?
HBO Max offers HBO content and original productions, but also shows and movies from other providers. This includes films from Warner Bros. and New Line, as well as TV shows from Sesame Street, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth and Looney Tunes.
As such, US subscribers get access to non-HBO content such as Friends, South Park, The Big Bang Theory and Rick and Morty through the HBO Max service.
In Australia, only the HBO content will 100% be shown on BINGE and Foxtel. Non-HBO content must be bid on separately. We have seen these shows appear elsewhere, including Stan and Prime Video, so BINGE isn't exactly HBO Max Australia, but it's close.
Deal
Check out BINGE with a 7-day free trial
Stream movies and full series from HBO, Warner Bros., FX, BBC, NBC, CBS, Paramount and more.
The oldest and longest continuously operating pay television service in the US, Home Box Office (HBO) has been consistently expanding in new markets all around the world since the early 90s.
The channel's programming mainly consists of theatrically released movies and original television series, as well as the occasional concert special, documentary, made-for-TV flick, boxing match or stand-up comedy show. HBO doesn't carry traditional commercials, which allows it to broadcast more explicit content. Think profanity, explicit sex scenes and graphic violence. All the good stuff.
Game of Thrones is one of HBO's biggest hits of all time – and millions still binge its 8 seasons. However, the brand is releasing popular shows, so there's plenty to watch if you decide to check out what HBO has to offer. Popular titles include:
You are unable to stream HBO Max in Australia. You can, however, stream HBO Max content. It is mostly available on Foxtel iQ, Foxtel Now and BINGE courtesy of deal signed by Foxtel and HBO's parent company Warner Bros Discovery.
HBO is not available directly in Australia, but you can view a lot of HBO's TV shows and movies on Foxtel iQ, Foxtel Now or BINGE.
There is no HBO Max free trial for Australians, but you can get HBO content using the BINGE free trial.
Chris Stead was the innovations editor at Finder. He is a gaming, tech and sports journalist with more than 24 years of writing and editing experience. Chris has a Bachelor of Advanced Science in Biology from the University of Sydney. A father of three, Chris has a passion for travel, photography and surfing. See full bio
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