With the rise of streaming giants such as HBO Max, there’s been a cultural shift in the way we experience movies and TV shows. Gone are the days of staying up late, waiting to see your favourite show broadcast on the telly. Now, we have access to a huge selection of recent releases – available to stream on demand.
The American subscription service HBO Max is home to some of the world’s most popular shows. Although geographical restrictions mean that you can’t get a HBO subscription in Australia, it’s still possible for Aussies to get access their favourite HBO Max content through streaming platforms such as Binge and Foxtel Now.
Keep reading to find out how to watch HBO in Australia, and learn how to save money on your streaming subscriptions with cashback offers from Cashrewards.
What is HBO Max?
Created by the US television network HBO, HBO Max (also known as ‘Max’) is an American streaming service that’s home to some of HBO’s most iconic shows including Big Little Lies, Game of Thrones and Succession.
HBO Max is also home to an impressive selection of blockbuster films. They were one of the first streaming services to give their subscribers free access to new movies, which was a pretty big deal at the time. This began in 2020, when HBO Max subscribers were given free access to Wonder Woman 1984 when it was released in cinemas – while Disney+ was still charging their subscribers an additional fee to see new films.
HBO Max gives its American subscribers access to the full suite of original HBO programming (such as Sex in the City), as well as other hugely successful TV shows and movies like the Studio Ghibli collection, South Park and Friends.
Can you access HBO Max in Australia?
For those wondering if HBO Max is available in Australia, the sad news is that this platform is only accessible to those who live in the US (as well as some European, Caribbean and Latin American locations). However, it’s possible for Australian viewers to access plenty of great HBO Max content through a few streaming platforms.
While there isn’t (yet!) such a thing as HBO Australia, it’s still possible for Aussie fans of HBO programming to get their fix. Keep reading for details on how to watch HBO Max on Binge.
The best ways to watch HBO content in Australia
So, what’s the best way to watch HBO Max in Australia? Binge and Foxtel Now are the top Australian streaming services for HBO Max content.
Although Stan is home to a few programs that originally aired on HBO Max (such as Station Eleven, Hacks and Love Life), Binge and Foxtel are where you’ll find the majority of HBO Max content.
Let’s take a look at whether you’re better off streaming HBO shows on Binge or Foxtel:
Binge
Binge is an Australian streaming service that’s part of Streamotion (owned by the Foxtel Group, which has streaming rights for HBO content in Australia). At present, Binge provides the most accessible way for Aussie viewers to stream HBO Max programs.
Watching HBO on Binge is easy, since there’s a substantial amount of HBO Max Originals on Binge, alongside a great selection of shows and movies from Warner Bros, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures, the BBC, Universal Pictures and more.
Subscription plans for Binge currently start at $18 per month, making it a great value choice for viewing your favourite HBO shows. Plus, if you subscribe to Binge through Cashrewards, you might also be eligible for cashback.
Is Binge the same as HBO Max?
If you’re wondering whether Binge is HBO Max, no, they’re separate companies. However, Binge does provide the easiest way to watch HBO in Australia, since it offers the largest selection of HBO Max content, at an affordable price.
Foxtel Now
Subscribers to Foxtel Now can also stream HBO Max content, however the basic ‘Essentials Pack’ subscription doesn’t provide access to the entire HBO Max range of programs. To be able to view certain HBO Max TV shows and/or films, you’ll need to upgrade your Foxtel Now subscription – for a higher monthly fee.
If watching HBO Max content is your main goal, a Foxtel Now subscription is not the most cost-effective option. Your best bet is to subscribe to Binge for HBO Max TV shows and films.
Foxtel Residential
If you don’t have an internet connection, HBO Max content can be accessed via Foxtel Residential. Even better, if you sign up for Foxtel Residential through Cashrewards, you can enjoy cashback benefits.
Foxtel Residential makes it easy to watch heaps of great shows with the iQ4, which provides over 90 live channels to choose from, as well as the option to watch content On Demand.
How much does HBO content cost in Australia?
Currently the Binge Standard subscription is $18 per month, and the Bringe Premium subscription is $22 per month. As well as your favourite HBO Max content, Binge offers over 10,000 hours of ad-free entertainment. Sign up to Binge through Cashrewards to enjoy great cashback rewards.
Alternatively, basic Foxtel Now subscriptions start at $25 per month, which will cover you for most (but not all) HBO Max titles. You will need to upgrade your Foxtel Now subscription to watch certain HBO Max shows and/or films.
Will HBO Max ever come to Australia?
There is speculation that HBO Max might eventually be launched in Australia – although this probably won’t happen until 2025 at the earliest (due to the complexity of media negotiations). This is an exciting development for Aussie viewers, making life easier for those asking how to watch HBO in Australia.
Can I get HBO from Amazon Prime?
Unfortunately, you can’t access HBO Max content with an Australian Amazon Prime subscription, as it’s currently geo-restricted to US residents.
Can you get HBO from Netflix?
Similar to Amazon Prime, it’s not currently possible to stream HBO Max content with an Australian Netflix subscription. Aussie enthusiasts of HBO Max should instead choose Binge as their primary streaming platform.
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