Podcast | James Gibbons (President of Asia Pacific at Warner Bros. Discovery) – we’re marking a major milestone in Australian entertainment. Max, the powerhouse streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, has officially landed Down Under—bringing together premium HBO content, blockbuster Warner Bros. films, and real-life Discovery programming, all in one place.
To celebrate the launch, Aaron Ryan sits down with two top executives behind the Max rollout:
🎙️ James Gibbons, President of Asia Pacific at Warner Bros. Discovery
🎙️ Michael Brooks, GM for Australia & New Zealand and MD of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia
Together, they unpack what Max means for the Australian streaming landscape, the exciting content lineup, the long-term strategy, and why this is a game-changer for viewers.
🔹 Key Topics & Talking Points
- Why now? The strategic timing behind launching Max in Australia
- What makes the Aussie market unique in the global streaming race
- How Max differentiates itself from existing players like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video
- The blend of global hits and local flavor—how Max tailors its content for Australian viewers
- Exclusive titles to watch:
- The Last of Us – Season 2 drops April 14
- IT: Welcome to Derry – what to expect from the spooky new series
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – more from the GoT universe
- Fan favorites like The White Lotus, Euphoria, House of the Dragon, Succession, and And Just Like That…
- Are there plans to invest in original Australian productions?
- How Max enhances user experience: smarter content discovery, sleek UI, and personalized recommendations
- Any interactive or next-gen features designed for Aussie audiences
- The multi-platform strategy:
- How Max co-exists with existing content deals (like Foxtel and Nine)
- Will Max consolidate content over time or maintain strong partnerships?
- Max’s subscription tiers and pricing model
- Role of advertising in Max’s offering, including the Nine partnership
- Challenges of launching a new service in a crowded streaming market
- Combating streaming fatigue and keeping subscribers engaged long-term
- How Max is responding to shifts in media consumption—especially with younger, mobile-first audiences
- The importance of Australia in Warner Bros. Discovery’s broader Asia-Pacific strategy
Max is officially here in Australia. To explore everything it has to offer, head over to www.max.com.
TV Central Discovery content HERE
Podcast | James Gibbons (President of Asia Pacific at Warner Bros. Discovery)
Thank you to Selina Govan and Stephanie Taylor-Carrillo at Max for organising this podcast
Pick your player below. The podcast is also available through Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify and more:
James Gibbons Bio
James Gibbons is President of Asia Pacific at Warner Bros. Discovery, with oversight of a diversified portfolio spanning globally renowned content, brands and franchises across FTA, Pay TV and direct-to-consumer platforms.
James leads the company’s strategic direction as it looks to further expand and fulfil the potential of the region. He has spearheaded several transformative partnerships to drive increased revenues and scale including the launch of MAX in 10 APAC markets, including Australia.
Prior to the merger, James helmed Discovery’s UK and Nordics business, where he launched discovery+. He previously led the company’s Emerging Markets group across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Michael Brooks Bio
Michael Brooks is Warner Bros. Discovery’s General Manager for Australia and New Zealand and Managing Director for Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia [WBITVP].
Michael oversees WBD’s business verticals in Australia and New Zealand, including Streaming, Networks, Consumer Products and Content Licensing, as well as WBITVP Australia.
He has been with Warner Bros. Discovery since 2016. Prior to joining WBD, he spent more than 12 years in the United States as an Emmy-nominated producer and executive, including Senior Vice President positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America.
Max
Warner Bros. Discovery (Nasdaq: WBD) today announced the plans, pricing and content for the new streaming service Max, ahead of its launch in Australia on Monday 31 March.
Max will be the new streaming home of WBD’s premium slate of content and brands. Bringing together the highest quality entertainment from HBO, Warner Bros., Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Discovery, Cartoon Network, HGTV and more, Australians will have access to groundbreaking series, blockbuster movies, loved franchises and real-life hits all in one place for the first time.
New content will arrive on Maxin Australia every week, with major titles released at the same time as the U.S. The launch is marked by the hotly anticipated return of HBO Original series The Last of Us, which will premiere on April 14. Film fans will also be able to enjoy blockbusters movies earlier than ever, as well as timeless classics through the TCM Hub.
At launch, subscribers can choose from one of three plans to suit their needs – Basic with Ads, Standard and Premium. A special introductory launch price will also be available on all plans for subscribers who sign up by 30 April 2025, valid for the first 12 months.
Michael Brooks, General Manager of Australia and New Zealand at Warner Bros. Discovery, said:
“Max’s breadth and depth of premium entertainment is unparalleled, and for the first time Australians can enjoy all of this world-class content in one place. Combined with a variety of plans and pricing, including a strong introductory price until April 30, Max will offer a distinct streaming proposition in the market.”
Content offering
- Exclusive, ground-breaking HBO Originals, including current and returning seasons of The Last of Us, Euphoria, House of the Dragon and The White Lotus, as well as new upcoming series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, IT: Welcome to Derryand Duster.Subscribers will also have access to award-winning series, True Detective, Game of Thrones and Succession
- Key Max Originals including And Just Like That…, Peacemaker, Paul Americanand The Pitt
- Warner Bros. Hollywood blockbusters like Barbie, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Wonka, Trap and Twisters, alongside full collections from Harry Potter, Dune, Lord of the Rings and the DC Universe
- Worldwide hits including Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, Rick and Morty, The Sopranosand Gilmore Girls
- TCM classics such as Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket and Rebel Without a Cause
- Extensive Cartoon Network and CARTOONITO offering for kids and families, from Adventure Time, Looney Tunes and Scooby Doo, to Ben 10, We Bare Bears and Teen Titans Go!
- Real-life stories from Discovery, TLC, Food Network and ID, including hit reality content 90 Day Fiancé, The Baldwins, Naked and Afraid, Dr Pimple Popper and People Magazine Investigates, as well asfactual series such as Outback Opal Hunters, Aussie Gold Hunters, Gold Rush and Deadliest Catch
Plans and pricing
Max will be available via three plans: Basic with Ads, Standard and Premium. There will be a special introductory promotional price on all plans for subscribers who sign up by 30 April 2025, valid for the first 12 months of subscription.
Basic with Ads Plan:
- Launch price offer of $7.99 per month for the first 12 months, or $79.99 for the first year.
- Regular price after the promotion will be $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year.
- Users can stream content on 2 devices simultaneously.
- Content will be available in Full HD resolution.
Standard Plan:
- Launch price offer of $11.99 per month for the first 12 months, or $119.99 for the first year.
- Regular price after the promotion will be $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year.
- Users can stream content on 2 devices simultaneously.
- Content will be available in Full HD resolution.
- This plan will allow up to 30 downloads of available content to watch offline.
Premium Plan:
- Launch price offer of $17.99 per month for the first 12 months, or $179.99 for the first year.
- Regular price after the promotion will be $21.99 per month or $219.99 per year.
- Provides the best consumer experience.
- Users can stream content on up to 4 devices simultaneously.
- Full HD or 4K resolution and with Dolby Atmos sound (as available).
- This plan will allow up to 100 downloads of available content to watch offline. (Limits apply.)
From March 31, Australians can enjoy an elevated streaming experience on multiple devices with an easy to navigate interface including personalised recommendations, seamless search, genre rails and brand hubs. Providing a more intuitive way of exploring Max, subscribers can create up to five unique profiles, each customisable with favourite characters as avatars, receive content picks based on viewing habits and customise profiles for kids, curated with age-appropriate content and parental controls.
Max will be available for subscription at www.max.com and , and will be viewable on major devices such as mobile, tablet, gaming consoles and connected TVs. Visit www.max.com for further information and to sign up for news about Max.
