Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky expand partnership with Max NZ

Sky New Zealand and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) have announced an expanded partnership that confirms Sky as the home of Max in New Zealand.

A similar announcement is expected not far away, involving WBD and Foxtel. There was some expectation that it might have been revealed at last week’s Foxtel Group Upfront, however the Australian deal was not yet ready to be revealed.

To the fullest: the New Zealand agreement

The Max hub on Sky and Neon will offer series, Hollywood blockbusters and family favorites, as well as a library of lifestyle, reality and documentary programming.

Sky Entertainment and Neon subscribers will have exclusive access to Max and HBO Originals in New Zealand, including the highly anticipated Da: Prophecyas well as new seasons of The last of us, the white lotus and Euphoria.

Additionally, Max on Sky and Neon will offer classic WBD franchises such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Rick and Mortywhile featuring a broad library of brands including the DC universe, Warner Bros., Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network and Harry Potter.

New Zealand will have its own HBO channel

For Sky Entertainment customers who prefer to enjoy content through linear viewing, Sky’s SoHo channel, which has been the home of HBO content on Sky for many years, will be rebranded HBO, exclusively showing original HBO content.

Sophie MoloneySky’s chief executive said: “We have a long-standing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, so I’m excited to work together to bring New Zealanders exclusive access to Max, a brand that has become synonymous with great entertainment. Sky continues to be the home of premium content and brands that our valued customers can enjoy across our range of platforms, with our entertainment offering growing from strength to strength.”

Michael Brooks at Foxtel 2025 Upfront

michael brooksGM, ANZ, WBD said: “The arrival of Max on Sky builds on the success of our multi-year partnership to bring New Zealanders world-class content from WBD’s iconic brands and franchises. In New Zealand, we are the only company operating in free-to-air, pay TV, FAST, AVOD and linear live streaming. This new and expanded partnership marks our arrival into the SVOD space through Sky’s multi-platform offering and, with it, the completion of our total video proposition.”

The new Max hub and dedicated HBO linear channel will be available on the new Sky Box, Sky Pod and Sky Go from October 30, 2024, with the Max hub also available on Neon. Sky Entertainment and Neon customers will have automatic access to this content, which will be accessible through the Max hub, as well as in other areas such as the Home Page.

Max Australia launch plans

While there’s still no release date for the Max in Australia, a number of things seem likely.

Speaking to entertainment industry delegates from across Asia last month, based in Singapore James GibbonsAPAC president of Warner Bros Discovery, had some news about Max.

“We can confirm that we will be launching our direct service in Australia in the first half of next year…this is definitely happening. We have a long-standing and very important relationship with Foxtel and I think the time has come for us to expand this into DTC [direct to consumer] space.”

As Gibbons explained, Foxtel will be Max’s partner in Australia. With the New Zealand Max now on the runway for takeoff next week, the Australia Max is expected to arrive earlier in the first half of 2025 than perhaps anticipated.

See also:
• Here comes the release of Max: 2025 as Warner Bros Discovery enters the local streaming wars
• Streaming Wars: What will Max’s arrival mean for Foxtel and Binge’s future?