HBO Max is the single-most hotly awaited streamer for Indian digital viewers. Anticipation for the launch of HBO Max in India hit sky high when it was revealed that the streamer has hired Amit Malhotra as the India-centric head of the platform for the South-East Asia region. Now, there’s some super exciting news for interested viewers. The India launch date for HBO Max, along with the various subscription tiers for the platform have reportedly been leaked online, and found their way to news sites. One such tech website OnlyTech revealed the leaked information on its platform.
HBO Max is reportedly set to launch in India in May 2022. The platform will have all the flagship HBO shows, such as Game Of Thrones, The Wire, The Sopranos. Along with that, it will have the exclusive HBO Max shows such as The Flight Attendant and Mare Of Easttown. Not just that, HBO Max in India will also have local content, commissioned and created within the country, featuring stars such as Saif Ali Khan, Alia Bhatt and Anil Kapoor, and directors such as Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bharadwaj and Rituparno Ghosh.
Of course, the thing that our readers are most interested in is the subscription plans and pricing of the platform. Surprisingly, contrary to everyone expecting HBO Max to be pricey, the leaked plans tell a different story. The subscription plans are quite reasonable and affordable in the lower tiers.
The leaked information says that HBO Max is offering three tiers of subscription plans in India at launch –
1. An ad-supported plan that will cost ₹69 per month, offer two simultaneous streams in SD, and on any device – mobile, tablet, computer or casting on TV. Importantly, it will only release HBO Max original movies one year after their theatrical or digital release, and shows after their season completes.
2. A mobile only plan for ₹139 per month, which will allow only one single stream, and on only a mobile device, in SD. This plan will release HBO Max original films or Warner Bros films 6-8 months after the theatrical or digital release, and episodes of a series will be 2-3 weeks after global release. The mobile only plan can also be availed in an annual subscription, and will cost Rs 1001/year – a 40% discount over the monthly plan cost.
3. A ‘Standard’ subscription plan, which will cost Rs. 329 a month, offer three simultaneous streams, 4k resolution, Dolby Atmos on supported content, and would bring movies and shows directly after their global release. The ‘Standard’ plan will also be available in an annual subscription, priced at ₹1974 for one year – a 50% discount over the monthly plan cost.
The plans were shared as part of a survey of users by market research firm Nepa. Please note that the leaked plans are part of standard market research and the price points and “plans” for a potential future launch in India shown in this article are only a set of possibilities being tested and evaluated. The information does not reflect any current, confirmed plans from the platform itself.
A spokesperson from HBO Max shared the following statement with Binged, “We routinely conduct market research with consumers in countries around the world that test a wide range of possible offers and price points for our services. Those being reported that suggest a future launch of HBO Max in India are amongst many being tested and evaluated and do not reflect any current plans.”
Let’s see how the actual subscription plans pan out against this leaked version, when HBO Max finally rolls into India.
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