As streaming services become increasingly popular many people are wondering if they can access their favorite shows and movies from around the world. In particular HBO Max is a highly sought after streaming service but is it available in Australia? For many Australians HBO Max has become a favorite source of entertainment but the availability of the service in Australia is a complex issue.
Availability of HBO Max in Australia
Unfortunately HBO Max is not currently available in Australia. This means that Australian viewers cannot access the range of content that is available on the service. However there are some ways that Australians can access the service. For example some VPN services allow users to access the service from outside the country. This means that Australians can still access some of the content that is available on the service.
The availability of HBO Max in Australia has both pros and cons. The following table outlines some of the advantages and disadvantages of accessing the service:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to a range of content | Not available in Australia |
| Can access content with a VPN | Limitations with VPN access |
| High quality content | May not be able to access certain content |
How to Access HBO Max in Australia
Fortunately Australians who want to start streaming HBO Max can do so – albeit with a few twists and turns. To gain access to HBO Max you’ll need to make use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN essentially allows Australian users to make it appear as though their computer or mobile device is in a different country. This will allow them to make HBO Max think that they are accessing their content from a country that does support the HBO Max streaming service.
Once Australian users have a VPN set up they will be able to sign up for a subscription to the streaming service. One of the most notable benefits of HBO Max is that there’s no contract to worry about. Plus HBO Max has a series of attractive discounts available to those who opt for a six-month subscription or a full-year subscription upfront.
Now that Australian users have access to HBO Max let’s look at the pros and cons of making use of the streaming service:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge library of content to stream | VPN required to access |
| Wide range of formats and experiences | No ability to download |
| Competitive pricing | Content geo-blocked |
Benefits of Watching HBO Max in Australia
Unveiled in May 2020 HBO Max is a monthly video-streaming subscription service available in the United States. It combines HBO’s rich collection of library content historical programming and new-release films with the latest features and personalization capabilities. But what are the benefits of watching HBO Max in Australia?
First and foremost HBO Max gives Australian fans of HBO shows access to exclusive content from the network’s catalogue. Viewers can watch classic series like Game of Thrones The Sopranos and Sex and the City as well as some of the network’s newer titles like The Flight Attendant and His Dark Materials. HBO Max also offers subscribers in Australia access to a variety of original films and documentaries from the network’s library as well as new films from the likes of Warner Bros DC Entertainment and WarnerMedia Entertainment.
In addition to its vast content offering HBO Max is home to several features designed to make the streaming experience even better. For instance the service’s SmartTV adaptive streaming functionality helps ensure that viewers in Australia can access their favorite HBO Max content in the best possible quality. Additionally HBO Max offers its subscribers the ability to create customized profiles for different members of their households. This way each user can access personalized recommendations and continue watching their favorite shows in the same place.
The latest in HBO Max’s viewing options also includes 4K HDR content something that wasn’t available when the service first launched. It also features a ‘TV Everywhere’ feature which allows viewers in Australia to stream content from HBO on their set-top boxes and other devices.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to exclusive HBO content | No access to local Australian content |
| SmartTV adaptive streaming | Not available in other parts of the world |
| Customizable user profiles | 4K HDR content only available for smart TVs |
| TV Everywhere feature | Relatively expensive compared to other services |
HBO Max is currently unavailable in Australia but future availability could bring great benefits for Australian viewers. For now Aussies have to access the service through virtual private networks or other proxies to view HBO’s content.
Pricing and Plans for HBO Max in Australia
Unfortunately at this time HBO Max is not yet available in Australia. The streaming service is currently only available in the United States Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. There are no immediate plans to bring HBO Max to Australia though the streaming service is expanding its reach to other countries.
Nevertheless Australians can turn to other streaming services such as Foxtel and Binge for their entertainment needs. Foxtel offers Australian viewers access to HBO shows along with a selection of premium movie titles. Binge is another great alternative with its library of HBO-created content.
Neither service is expensive compared to HBO Max. Foxtel starts at $25/mo. while on Binge an HBO subscription costs an additional $14.99/mo. However there are drawbacks. Foxtel content is tied to its cable service meaning that most shows will require the purchase of the basic cable package. Similarly access to Binge’s HBO content is limited to the subscription fee with no extras such as the Max Originals or exclusive content.
| HBO Max in Aus | Foxtel | Binge |
|---|---|---|
| Not available | Low cost Limited content |
Low cost Limited content/extras |
| N/A | Requires basic cable package | No extras |
Overall HBO Max is not available in Australia but there are alternate solutions that can provide a way to enjoy HBO shows at a lower cost. Foxtel and Binge both offer content from the cable giant though with limitations. Whether or not HBO Max makes its way to Australia remains to be seen.