You Can Finally Watch HBO Max on Your Roku

The announcement comes just in time for 'Wonder Woman 1984' and the start of 2021.

By Dan Jackson

Published on 16/12/2020 at 10:09 PM

The wait is over: WarnerMedia and Roku have finally made a deal to bring HBO Max to Roku devices beginning on December 17. The announcement comes right before the arrival of Wonder Woman 1984, the Warner Bros.-produced superhero sequel that will premiere on the platform on December 25, an unprecedented gamble for a tentpole blockbuster. (2017’s Wonder Woman made more than $820 million.) With HBO Max now available on Roku, the company’s approximately 46 million active users will get a chance to watch Gal Gadot fight Kristen Wiig’s Cheetah from the comfort of their couches.

Since HBO Max debuted in May, with some initial confusion about how different it was from other HBO services and who had access to it, getting all the major devices onboard has been an ongoing struggle. Back in November, HBO Max made a deal with Amazon to make the subscription service available on Amazon Fire devices, and Roku, which controls a large part of the market share, was widely considered the next important piece of the puzzle.

Starting on December 17, Roku users will be able to download the HBO Max app on their device and finally catch up with The Flight Attendant or whatever other HBO Max content they’ve been scoping out for the past few months. For users already subscribed to HBO through their Roku devices, the HBO app will automatically update to become the HBO Max app.

“We believe that all entertainment will be streamed and we are thrilled to partner with HBO Max to bring their incredible library of iconic entertainment brands and blockbuster slate of direct to streaming theatrical releases to the Roku households with more than 100 million people that have made Roku the No. 1 TV streaming platform in America,” said Scott Rosenberg, a Roku senior vice president, in a statement announcing the deal.

The two brands even did one of those nauseating cutesy Twitter exchanges to seal the deal, which you can check out below, if you have the stomach for it. If HBO Max hopes to compete with Netflix and Disney Plus, getting distribution on Roku is an important part of any path towards streaming success. Wonder Woman 1984 is only the first part of the company’s aggressive (and controversial) new strategy of premiering its entire 2021 movie slate, including blockbuster titles like Dune, The Suicide Squad, and The Matrix 4, in theaters and on HBO Max on the same day. With the Roku deal in place, HBO Max will likely have a stronger chance of reaching the audience its hoping to find in the next year. Need help finding something to watch? Sign up here for our weekly Streamail newsletter to get streaming recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.

Dan Jackson is a senior staff writer at Thrillist Entertainment. He’s on Twitter @danielvjackson.

Entertainment

Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2023 in Australia

And what it means to be in the year of the Rabbit.

By Natasha Bazika

Published on 12/01/2023 at 12:59

where to celebrate lunar new year australia

Starting with the new moon on Sunday, January 22, this Lunar New Year ushers in the year of the Rabbit. We’ve put together a guide on celebrating the Lunar New Year in Australia.

What is special about the year of the Rabbit?

As you might know, each year has an animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac, which is based on the moon and has a 12-year cycle. This year, we celebrate the year of the rabbit, known to be the luckiest out of all twelve animals. It symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty.

What celebrations are taking place and how can I get involved?

There are plenty of festivals happening all around the country which you can get involved with. Here they are per state.

New South Wales

Darling Harbour Fireworks
When: Every year, Sydney puts on a fireworks show, and this year, you can catch it on January 28 and February 4 at 9 pm in Darling Harbour.

Dragon Boat Races
When: Witness three days of dragon boat races and entertainment on Cockle Bay to usher in the Lunar New Year. The races will commence on January 27 and finish on January 29.

Lion Dances
When: Catch a traditional Lion Dance moving to the beat of a vigorous drum bringing good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year. The dance performances will happen across Darling Harbour on Saturday, January 21, Sunday, January 22, and Sunday, February 4 and 5, around 6 pm and 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at Cirrus Dining
When: Barangaroo’s waterfront seafood restaurant, Cirrus, is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with a special feast menu. Cirrus’ LNY menu is $128pp with optional wine pairing and is available from Saturday, January 21, to Sunday, February 5.

Auntie Philter
When: Hello Auntie’s owner and executive chef, Cuong Nguyen will be dishing out some of the most classic Vietnamese street foods with his mum, Linda. All of Philter’s favourites will be on offer, as well as Raspberry Pash Beer Slushies and other cocktails being served at the Philter Brewing rooftop bar on Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, January 29.

Victoria

Lunar New Year Festival
When: Ring in the Lunar New Year with food, music, arts, and more on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am to 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at the National Gallery of Victoria
When: Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s festival of art, food, and art-making activities for everyone from 10 am-5 pm.

Queensland

BriAsia Festival
When: From February 1-19, Brisbane will come alive with performances, including lion dances and martial arts displays. There will be street food, workshops, comedy and more.

South Australia

Chinatown Adelaide Street Party
When: Adelaide is set to hose a fun-filled day celebrating the Chinese New Year on Saturday, January 28, from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Western Australia

Crown Perth
When: Across January and February, Crown Perth hosts free live entertainment, including colourful lion dances, roving mascots, and drumming performances. The restaurants will also throw banquets and menus dedicated to the Lunar New Year.

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