Max Australia Launch Shakes Up the Streaming Market
Streaming services have come a long way from being the budget-friendly, ad-free alternative to cable TV. Today, Australians are spending more than ever on subscriptions, with the average person subscribed to at least two platforms. And now, with the official launch of HBO’s Max in Australia, the competition is heating up even more.
Max, the streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, is bringing some of the biggest entertainment franchises under one roof—HBO, Warner Bros, DC Universe, and Discovery content. This means that must-watch series like The Last of Us , House of the Dragon , and Euphoria will now have a new home in Australia. Naturally, fans are already flocking to sign up, especially with the platform’s introductory pricing. Right now, Max is offering three subscription tiers: Basic with Ads ($11.99/month, discounted to $7.99), Standard ($15.99/month, discounted to $11.99), and Premium ($21.99/month, discounted to $17.99). Compared to Netflix, which now charges $18.99 per month for its Standard plan, Max seems like a solid deal.
But let’s talk about the bigger picture. Streaming costs in Australia have skyrocketed over the past five years. Back in 2020, a basic Netflix subscription was much cheaper, and many platforms didn’t even have ad-supported tiers. Now, most major streaming services—including Netflix, Disney+, and even Max—have introduced cheaper plans with ads, targeting users who want to save money without completely giving up their favorite shows.
Then there’s the crackdown on password sharing. Platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have already enforced strict policies to prevent account sharing between households, and Max is expected to follow suit. This means that Aussies who used to share accounts with friends or family members may now have to pay for their own subscriptions. For households that want access to multiple platforms, the total cost of streaming can easily climb past $100 per month.
For those looking for the absolute cheapest way to stream, the most budget-friendly combination right now is Paramount+ Basic with Ads ($6.99) and Max Basic with Ads ($7.99, based on the introductory offer), totaling $14.98 per month. But if you’re after a premium experience with no ads, you could be paying anywhere from $22.98 per month for a basic duo of Paramount+ and Max, all the way up to $129.99 per month for high-end services like Netflix Premium and Foxtel Now Ultimate.
And if you thought subscribing to all the major platforms was an option, brace yourself—it could cost anywhere from $118.94 to $256.93 per month. At that point, you might as well go back to Foxtel’s Platinum Plus package, which bundles multiple services for $145 per month.
So, is streaming still the affordable alternative to cable TV? Not exactly. While individual platforms remain cheaper than traditional pay TV, the reality is that keeping up with all the exclusive content spread across different services is getting more expensive. With Max now officially in the game, many Aussies will have to decide whether to ditch their current subscriptions or add yet another monthly charge to their budget. One thing is for sure—the streaming wars in Australia just got a lot more intense.
Max Australia Shakes Up Streaming, But At What Cost?
Alright, let’s talk about the streaming game in Australia—it’s getting wild out here. If you’re anything like the average Aussie, you’re probably juggling at least two streaming subscriptions. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, in 2025, that could be costing you up to $129.99 per month . Yep, what started as a budget-friendly alternative to cable TV has now turned into a pricey habit.
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And now, there's a new player in town— Max Australia . If that name rings a bell, it should. It’s HBO’s rebranded streaming service, and it officially launched in Australia today. That means all the big HBO titles, like The Last of Us and House of the Dragon , now have a new home. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t want to watch those?
Max is coming in with three pricing tiers :
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Basic with ads: $11.99/month (currently discounted to $7.99)
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Standard: $15.99/month (intro price $11.99)
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Ultimate (4K & more screens): $21.99/month (discounted to $17.99)
Not too bad, considering Netflix’s Standard plan is sitting at $18.99/month in 2025. But here’s the catch— streaming is no longer the cheap, ad-free paradise it used to be . Almost every platform has introduced ad-supported tiers, and password sharing is basically dead. Services like Netflix and Disney+ have cracked down hard, forcing many Aussies to get their own subscriptions instead of mooching off their mates.
So, how much is all of this costing us? If you stick to two services, you could get away with spending as little as $14.98 per month (if you don’t mind ads) or up to $129.99 per month for premium plans on top-tier platforms like Netflix and Foxtel Now. And if you're a hardcore streamer subscribing to all nine major services (Netflix, Max, Stan, Binge, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Foxtel Now)? Brace yourself—that could set you back between $118.94 and $256.93 per month . That’s basically a second rent payment!
Max’s arrival is also shaking up the Australian market in a big way. Until now, Binge was the home of HBO content, but with Max taking over, expect a lot of subscribers to jump ship. That could spell trouble for Binge, which may struggle to hold on to viewers without its biggest drawcards.
The bottom line? Streaming is still cheaper than old-school cable TV, but it’s no longer the bargain it used to be. With so many services fighting for our dollars, it’s getting harder to justify keeping multiple subscriptions. So, are you signing up for Max, or are you rethinking your streaming budget?
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