HBO Max Names Southeast Asia, India Lead

Amit Malhotra is leaving Disney to join HBO Max as managing director for Southeast Asia and India.

Reporting to Johannes Larcher, head of HBO Max International, Malhotra will take the lead on the rollout and management of HBO Max in Southeast Asia. He will immediately assume responsibility for HBO GO, WarnerMedia’s existing OTT service in the region, and spearhead the introduction of HBO Max in those markets. He will also explore a potential future launch in India.

HBO Max is looking to launch in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Malhotra is a longtime Disney exec, most recently serving as regional lead for Disney+ in Southeast Asia. He also oversaw Disney’s content sales and distribution business in South APAC and the Middle East.

Larcher noted, “With our upcoming launch across Latin America on June 29 and our plans for Europe on the horizon, we turn our sights toward Asia, where we have an incredible opportunity to bring HBO Max to millions of new fans who are just as excited about streaming as our audiences in the U.S. Amit’s experience launching streaming services in both mature and emerging markets across Southeast Asia and the surrounding region make him the ideal leader to plan and oversee the rollout of HBO Max and its expanded content offering and platform experience.”

Malhotra noted, “I am delighted to be part of the incredible team at WarnerMedia in Asia as we look at bringing HBO Max to this region. WarnerMedia’s brands, including DC Universe, HBO and Cartoon Network, are extremely popular with passionate fans and audiences across this region. With a focus on consumers, our goal will be to bring all of these brands and content together in an exciting new world-class streaming experience as we move into the future with HBO Max.”