Max - Max comes to France: advantages and differences with the American version

By Mulder, 11 june 2024

Max, the streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, is finally making its long-awaited entry into France, bringing with it a diverse and rich content offering. After months of intensive preparation and strategic collaborations, the platform promises an unrivalled entertainment experience for French audiences. This article takes an in-depth look at Max's strengths and what sets it apart from its American counterpart.

Max's catalog in France is particularly impressive, combining iconic HBO series, a vast array of Warner Bros. films, as well as exclusive original productions. Among the most eagerly awaited series is “House of the Dragon”, the Game of Thrones prequel, season 2 of which will be available from June 17. Other flagship titles include “The White Lotus”, “The Last of Us”, and “True Detective: Night Country”, which continue to captivate viewers with their compelling storylines and high-quality productions. The Max Originals are not to be outdone, with new series such as “The Penguin”, a spin-off from the Batman universe starring Colin Farrell, and “Dune Prophecy”, a series exploring the origins of the mysterious Bene Gesserit order.

In addition to series, Max also offers a wide range of iconic films and franchises. Film fans can revisit all eight films in the Harry Potter saga, as well as timeless classics such as “Casablanca” and modern blockbusters like “Inception”. The platform also offers a rich catalog of DC Comics productions, enabling superhero fans to follow the adventures of Batman, Superman and other iconic characters. This diversity of content ensures that every member of the family will find something to their liking on Max.

One of the most striking aspects of the French version of Max is its focus on sporting events, thanks to its partnership with Eurosport. Subscribers can thus enjoy comprehensive coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with over 3,800 hours of sports content and 62 live streams of competitions. This focus on sport is also evident through the broadcast of competitions such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Tour de France, and various tennis and mountain biking tournaments. This emphasis on sports is less pronounced in the American version of Max, which focuses more on series and films.

Another key difference lies in local distribution agreements. In France, Max has signed strategic partnerships with major players such as Canal+, Prime Video, Orange, Free and SFR. These agreements facilitate access to the service for French audiences, guaranteeing wide availability and seamless integration with existing streaming platforms. In the USA, although Max is also available on partner platforms such as Amazon Prime, distribution remains largely independent, reflecting a different strategy tailored to the US market.

The French version of Max also includes original French and European productions, adding a unique local dimension to its content offering. These original productions are designed to resonate with French audiences, offering stories and perspectives that are familiar to them. For example, series such as “Welcome to Derry”, an adaptation of Stephen King's “Ça”, and a new series around the “Harry Potter” universe demonstrate Max's commitment to producing high-quality content tailored to local tastes. In comparison, the American version of Max focuses more on original American productions, tailored to the preferences of local audiences.

Max not only offers a rich library of content, it also strives to deliver an optimized user experience. Max's user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and quickly access favorite content. Personalized recommendations allow subscribers to discover new content based on their viewing habits, enhancing their overall experience. This attention to detail in the user experience is another factor that sets Max apart from its competitors.

The launch of Max in France marks a new era for streaming services in the Hexagone. With a varied offering of high-quality content, exceptional sports coverage and local strategic partnerships, Max is positioned as a major player in online entertainment. Compared to its American counterpart, Max in France offers relevant adjustments and additions, reflecting the preferences and needs of the French audience. Whether for fans of series, movies or sports, Max promises an unrivalled streaming experience.

Photos: Boris Colletier / Mulderville

(Source : press release)