Warner Bros. looks to Max launch in 2025

Warner Bros Discovery has given the clearest indication yet that the HBO Max (now known simly as Max) platform will launch in Australia in 2025, the AFR reports.

Jean-Briac Perrette, Warner Bros Discovery’s president of global streaming and games, told media executives in Bali at a summit last week, “We’ll do Europe before the Olympics, which we have to get done because we have the Olympics coming in Paris next summer. And then we will get to Asia.

“Asia continues to be critically important, but we have to do it in that sequence. And we will get to Asia before the end of next year with our existing markets and then roll out to new markets again, starting in 2025.”

Mr Perrette told the Media Partners Asia APOS event that Warner Bros Discovery would “probably look to launch in a market like Australia after that”.

“Australia’s a critically important market for us, where again we think our content is very strong for that market,” he added.

Such a move would significantly impact Foxtel / Binge having exclusivity on the prestigious HBO catalogue, having enjoyed titles such as Game of Thrones, The White Lotus, Succession, House of the Dragon and The Last of Us to lure subscribers.

Foxtel’s licensing deal renewed earlier this year spans content from HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. and Discovery.

In March Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer, Amanda Laing told TV Tonight, “The beauty of this deal is that it provides our partnership with optionality. What that really means is that our partnership continues, no matter what options Warner Bros / Discovery wish to pursue in Australia.”

Foxtel’s licensing deal is reportedly up for negotiation in 2025.