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Speculation HBO Max may land

Is yet another streaming platform on the cards for Australia?

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Rumours of streaming platform HBO Max launching in Australia have increased after reports a local trademark has been secured.

Foxtel currently has a deal with HBO with two years left to run.

WA Today reports sources said both Foxtel and Stan have both made offers to secure HBO content after the existing contract with Foxtel expires.

Stan, which has less than a year left on its deal with Showtime, has the rights to two HBO Max originals, Made for Love and Station Eleven, through a deal with another studio.

HBO Max is due to launch in the US in May, with WarnerMedia properties, including original content.

But the launch is no guarantee with HBO recently extending its output deal with Sky UK.

Foxtel is also rumoured to be launching a new streaming service with Drama & Entertainment, similar to its success with Kayo in Sport content.

Foxtel and Stan declined to comment on the matter.

9 Responses

  1. Some interesting comments made here, right now I don’t think anyone can determine just how far the growth of overseas streaming services will go but if there’s a profit to be made you can say that what services we see now is just the beginning.
    HBO already have a good profile in Australia so it may be easier to just maintain their current broadcast agreements for the short to medium term and then add HBO Max to Foxtel’s operating system, as Foxtel must have the business advantage over Stan, but having said that there is Optus looking to become a streaming player as well.

  2. I hope HBO Max comes to Australia. Foxtel ruined the Showcase channel when they merged it with the Soho channel and also started in-show ad breaks and a watermark. Previously it was more like a cinematic experience. Now it’s just another run of the mill channel.

  3. It could as when you look at where content is coming from HBO, Cinemax, Warner Bros., New Line, DC Entertainment, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes, Studio Ghibli, and the BBC. Then throw in deals with J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon, Greg Berlanti and Reese Witherspoon’s production company, there is a lot that can be on there even if not all HBO stuff is or Friends, The Big Bang Theory and South Park (if 10, 9 and SBS have those rights). Plus WarnerMedia have confirmed that Doom Patrol, DC Universe’s most popular show, will stream on both DC Universe and HBO Max, so that may ahppen with others like Titans as well.

    It’s really A T&T Warner Max more then HBO Max (however get tehm usnfg that name).

  4. Whether or not HBO MAX launches soon or in the future, if it means the end to content supply to Foxtel that would be a pretty serious blow to the viability of the Fox Showcase channel – as it arguably provides the bulk of the ‘premium drama’ drawcards underpinning that flagship channel. However, as others have noted, in some key markets (incl UK with the not dissimilar Sky TV) recent deals between HBO and the existing pay-TV rights holders have meant continuation of existing HBO on pay-TV and in effect a decision not to launch (or at least delay launching) stand-alone HBO Max streaming in certain markets.

  7. Local trademarks have also been secured for the name “Peacock” and the six coloured discs in a column logo. I can’t see it being launched here any time soon given the deals NBCUniversal has recently done with local outlets. I would suggest these Netflix wannabes would make more money in the Australian market selling content rather than competing as a stand alone streaming service in a crowded market with a small population.

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