Cast members from HBO’s award-winning original series “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus” touched down in Sydney this week to celebrate the official Australian launch of Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform Max.
Actors from season two of “The Last of Us,” including Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), Young Mazino (Jesse), and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac), joined “The White Lotus” season three cast members Patrick Schwarzenegger (Saxon), Leslie Bibb (Kate), Natasha Rothwell (Belinda) and New Zealand-born Morgana O’Reilly (Pam) for a photo call and media engagement event marking the local debut of the streaming service.
The launch of Max brings together an expansive catalogue of Warner Bros. Discovery content under one roof, offering Australian subscribers access to HBO original programming, Warner Bros. films, the DC Universe, “Harry Potter” Max Originals, Discovery Channel content, Cartoon Network favourites, and lifestyle offerings from HGTV, Food Network and more.
The streaming platform, which went live in Australia on March 31, is now available to local audiences via subscription at max.com, compatible across major devices including mobile, tablet, smart TVs and gaming consoles. The service also promises exclusive access to flagship HBO titles, including the highly anticipated season two of “The Last of Us,” which premieres April 14, and the full third season of “The White Lotus,” culminating in its final episode on April 7.
Speaking on the ground in Sydney, Warner Bros. Discovery’s senior publicity representatives Charlotte Leddie and Natalie Dubois said the arrival of Max in Australia marks a pivotal moment for the company’s global strategy, tapping into the region’s growing appetite for prestige international content.
Max’s launch is part of a larger global rollout and marks a key milestone in Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to delivering its robust portfolio of content to international markets. With a focus on prestige programming and household franchises, the service aims to compete directly with streaming giants like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ in the Australian market.
Max is currently live in more than 60 countries and territories and has plans for further expansion in 2025. It joins a crowded local landscape but brings with it a slate of highly recognisable titles, including “House of the Dragon”, “Succession,” “True Detective: Night Country,” “Euphoria” and legacy series such as “Game of Thrones,” “The Wire,” “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City.”
While Albanese government officials were not in attendance, the Sydney launch underscores Australia’s importance as a growth market for global streaming platforms. Max’s arrival is set to reshape how Australian audiences access premium scripted dramas, documentaries, live sports (where applicable), and family-friendly programming.
Max’s launch comes on the heels of a highly competitive streaming environment in Australia, where audiences are increasingly demanding consolidated platforms and content-rich libraries.