Max, the video-on-demand streaming service that promises a massive library of content from HBO, Warner Bros., and Discovery, is finally making its way to Asia.

Starting November 19, viewers in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines can ditch their HBO Go or HBO Now subscriptions and dive head first into the world of Max.

But hold your dragons (that’s a Game of Thrones reference, by the way), because there are a few things you need to know.

The price seems right… for now

While the launch date is set, the exact pricing for Max in Asia is still under wraps. What we do know is that pricing will vary by country and provider, with a mobile-only plan available in Indonesia and the Philippines. This leaves potential subscribers in a state of limbo, unsure whether Max will be a worthy investment.

If you’re already an HBO Go subscriber in the Philippines, you’re in luck. Your existing subscription will carry over into a Max subscription at no extra cost! Simply download the Max app once it becomes available on the App Store or Google Play Store and log in with your HBO Go account email and password.

And get this: According to Max’s official website, there won’t be any immediate changes to your subscription price if you subscribe to HBO Go through an app store or directly via the site.

SEE ALSO: NBA 2K25 review: Courting greatness [Video]

That said, assuming you enjoy HBO’s current programming — and Max sounds appealing to you — it may be best to purchase an annual HBO Go subscription while you still can. Doing so will set you back P1,190 or roughly $20.58 in the Philippines. That’s a lot cheaper than what you would pay for overseas. A monthly subscription on the local market costs P199 or $3.44.

This means you can snag an annual HBO Go subscription for a mere P1,190 (roughly $20.58) before the Max takeover. That’s a steal compared to the $99.99 starting price for an annual Max subscription in the U.S. A monthly subscription costs $9.99 with ads or $14.99 without ads. The Ultimate subscription, which allows users to watch content without ads on up to four devices at up to 4K resolution, is priced at $20.99.

Content is king, but will it be the same?

Max includes all of HBO’s programming, plus shows and movies from WarnerMedia properties like DC, CNN, and Discovery. It also produces its own original shows and movies, similar to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Some of the upcoming series on Max include Dune: Prophecy, a Game Of Thrones prequel, IT: Welcome to Derry, a new Harry Potter series, and new seasons of popular shows like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.

However, there’s no guarantee that the Max content library in the Philippines and other Asian countries will mirror that of the U.S. Will Asian viewers miss out on some of their favorite shows? Only time will tell.

---