HBO Max may not be lengthy for this world. Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) largest streamer is among the hottest providers round; one which carries an enormous number of highly-rated films and TV reveals to stream at pretty inexpensive costs.
So, why is WBD contemplating eliminating it? The leisure behemoth is because of announce HBO Max’s streaming successor very quickly, which can see HBO Max and Discovery Plus merged into one super-streamer. It is unclear whether or not HBO Max will live on as a singular entity as soon as that reveal is made, too. Briefly: this might be your final likelihood to attempt WBD’s predominant streamer out earlier than its sun-setted.
In the event you’re concerned with signing as much as one of many world’s greatest streaming providers within the meantime, you may must know every part in regards to the platform earlier than doing so. Beneath, we have compiled the entire most vital details about HBO Max, together with its number of subscription plans, TV and movie choices, the way it compares to its streaming rivals, and extra. Let’s dig in.
The place is HBO Max presently out there?
The very first thing you might want to know is the place HBO Max is on the market. It initially launched within the US in Might 2020, earlier than releasing in South and Latin America the next June. Its rollout continued in October 2021 – the service arriving in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Spain, and Andorra. Lastly, HBO Max debuted in 15 extra European territories, together with Croatia, Portugal, and Serbia, in March 2022.
As talked about in our introduction, HBO Max’s worldwide availability will dramatically shift within the coming weeks and months. WBD’s plan to mix HBO Max with Discovery Plus means HBO Max may not exist in its present type by the top of 2023 (or earlier). Hopefully, we’ll discover out extra particulars about HBO Max’s future and/or destiny when WBD broadcasts its new mega-streaming service on Wednesday, April 12.
HBO Max value: how a lot does it price?
Potential HBO Max subscribers have two tiers to select from: the ad-free tier, which prices $15.99 per 30 days, and an ad-supported tier that’ll set you again $9.99 a month. The ads-based plan provide you with entry to the identical library of flicks and TV reveals, however you’ll be able to’t obtain content material for offline viewing. Video high quality can also be capped at 1080p.
The ad-free tier plan places HBO Max on the dearer finish of the streaming service spectrum. The worth of Disney Plus is $7.99 (with adverts) or $10.99 (with out adverts) per 30 days. In the meantime, Netflix’s normal tier prices $15.49 a month. To study extra and evaluate the service to the competitors, take a look at our devoted HBO Max value information.
It is also value noting that each one current direct HBO subscribers get HBO Max without cost, in addition to anybody who subscribes to HBO utilizing the beneath platforms:
- Altice One
- Atlantic Broadband
- Apple TV
- AT&T TV
- AT&T U-verse
- Cox
- DIRECTV
- Optimum
- RCN
- Spectrum
- Suddenlink
- Verizon FIOS
- WOW!
- Xfinity
- Hulu
In the event you’re subscribed to HBO by a third-party app or service, the HBO Max help center (opens in new tab) confirms customers can get HBO Max ad-free for nothing. These providers are: Amazon Appstore, Apple, Google Play, Roku Channel Retailer, Samsung TV, WarnerMedia, Consolidated Communications, Liberty, North State, Optimum, Service Electrical Cablevision, Verizon Fios, and Ziply Fiber.
Subscribing to HBO by AT&T-related providers enables you to watch HBO Max content material for no extra price, too. AT&T now has a dedicated page (opens in new tab) on offers that embody entry to the streamer.
What’ll occur to HBO Max costs when WBD’s tremendous streamer arrives? Executives have stated HBO Max costs will soar in 2023 as soon as it merges with Discovery Plus, whereas the advert load on HBO’s cheaper, ad-supported subscription tier might doubtlessly double. We’ll replace this part once we know extra.
Is there a HBO Max free trial?
The quick reply is not any. Potential subscribers used to have the ability to attempt HBO Max for seven days earlier than deciding whether or not to enroll, however that is now not an choice. For extra particulars on when such a trial would possibly return, our HBO Max free trial article has you lined.
HBO Max films: DCEU, Elvis, Dune, and extra
HBO Max is filled with loads of critically-acclaimed and highly-rated films. Netflix’s library would possibly comprise notable highlights from different studios (take a look at our decide of the perfect Netflix films), however HBO Max presents tons of fantastic movies from Warner Bros’ personal again catalog.
So, what’s on provide? For one, an eclectic vary of DC Comedian films, together with Batman (1989), Joker, The Darkish Knight, Aquaman, and Black Adam. Style films are typically effectively represented, with The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix trilogies additionally out there. Check out our devoted information to the perfect HBO Max films for our top-tier decisions and our new HBO Max films listing for the latest films to hit the platform.
One among HBO Max’s bespoke channels options Studio Ghibli films, which provides subscribers entry to each animated movie from the legendary studio. One other channel – TCM (Turner Basic Motion pictures) – delivers loads of classics, reminiscent of Citizen Kane and All The President’s Males.
Sadly, you will not get entry to day-and-date film releases – which noticed the likes of Dune and The Matrix Resurrections launched straight onto the streamer in tandem with their theatrical debuts – anymore. Nevertheless, HBO Max nonetheless offers Netflix and Disney Plus a run for his or her cash in relation to blockbusters.
HBO Max reveals: Succession, The Final of Us, and extra
HBO’s unique collection are among the greatest round, with The Wire, The Sopranos, Sport of Thrones, Chernobyl simply 4 of its hottest choices.
HBO is not solely identified for its riveting dramas, although. Comedies together with Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep exist on the platform alongside documentaries like McMillions and The Case Towards Adnan Sayed. HBO’s wealthy historical past of stand-up specials can also be showcased, with among the largest US comedians’ dwell reveals out there to stream.
Older reveals from Warner’s archive (and past) assist complement what HBO offers. Rick and Morty‘s first 4 seasons might be streamed, whereas HBO Max has the unique rights to Mates and South Park within the US. The Huge Bang Concept, The Center, Younger Sheldon, The Nanny, and The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air are among the many sitcoms you’ll be able to get pleasure from as effectively.
Nice animated reveals like Batman: The Animated Collection is a ’90s traditional, the Superman present and the extra futuristic Batman Past might be beamed proper into your front room, too. And, for those who’re after some anime, Crunchyroll has a channel on HBO Max that gives a broad choice, whereas entry to Cartoon Community encompasses reveals like Steven Universe and Dexter’s Laboratory.
Import reveals embody the unique UK model of The Workplace, crime drama Gomorrah, and up to date seasons of Physician Who. Nevertheless, the BBC’s Time Lord is heading to Disney Plus a while in 2023 following a brand new settlement, so it is unclear whether or not it’s going to warp away from HBO Max later this 12 months.
Lastly, HBO Max has quite a few critically-acclaimed and award-winning unique collection of its personal. Succession, Euphoria, Home of the Dragon, The Final of Us, and The Flight Attendant are only a few of the streamer’s premium TV gems. For extra suggestions encompassing HBO Max’s pleasant suite of TV content material, take a look at our greatest HBO Max reveals.
What’s coming to HBO Max in April 2023?
Here is a short number of the latest and largest films and TV reveals nonetheless to return to HBO Max in April 2023:
– Looney Tunes Cartoons (Max Authentic TV present, April 6)
– The Winchesters season 1 (TV present, April 6)
– Kung Fu Panda season 3 (TV present, April 7)
– Titans season 4 mid-season premiere (Max Authentic TV present, April 13)
– A Black Girl Sketch Present season 4 (HBO TV present, April 14)
– 100 Foot Wave season 2 premiere (HBO docuseries, April 16)
– Barry season 4 (HBO TV present, April 16)
– Physician Who: Energy of the Physician (TV particular, April 23)
– Any individual Someplace season 2 (HBO TV present, April 23)
– The Canine Home: UK season 4 premiere (Max Authentic TV present, April 27)
– Love & Demise (Max Authentic TV present, April 27)
– Moonage Daydream (Film, April 29)
– Warner Bros. 100 Years premiere (Max Authentic docuseries, April 29)
HBO Max vs HBO: what is the distinction?
The distinction comes all the way down to the vary of programming you’ll be able to entry. Subscribing to HBO will permit you to stream each unique collection and flicks that the premium channel has. In the meantime, HBO Max will get you greater than double the content material. You will not solely achieve entry to HBO Max’s originals line-up, however you may get every part on HBO and quite a few different channels, reminiscent of Grownup Swim.
Basically, there is no cause to get HBO over HBO Max. They price the identical, however you get extra stuff with the latter.
What gadgets is HBO Max out there on?
Wish to know what gadgets help HBO Max by way of net browsers or its app? Learn the listing beneath:
- Android (5.0 or later)
- Android TV
- Apple TV 4K or HD
- Chromecast
- Chrome/Firefox/Microsoft Edge
- Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Participant
- iOS (12.2 or later)
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- Roku (OS 10.0 and later)
- Samsung good TVs (2016 fashions or later)
- Xbox One and Xbox Collection S/X
- Xfinity X1 and Flex
There isn’t any restrict to what number of you should utilize with the streaming service. Nevertheless, it is value noting that, for safety causes, the variety of simultaneous streams permitted is capped to 3.
HBO Max app: what options can be found?
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HBO Max enables you to obtain content material for offline viewing. It additionally has a PIN system for parental management, personalised profiles, and brand-based content material hubs much like how Disney Plus categorizes Star Wars films and Marvel movies. As talked about earlier, these embody TCM, Studio Ghibli, DC, Crunchyroll, Looney Tunes, and Sesame Workshop.
Subscribers can ‘co-view’ homepages that signify the tastes of a number of folks in your house, too. The homepage additionally has themed choices of content material to get pleasure from, for those who’re a little bit sick of Netflix’s algorithmic suggestions.
Does HBO Max help 4K streaming?
Sure. HBO Max helps 4K streaming on a number of suitable gadgets. Nevertheless, you may need to subscribe to the ad-free tier to observe reveals and flicks with this video high quality. You will additionally solely be capable to stream in 4K on one of many beneath gadgets:
- Amazon Fireplace TV Stick 4K and Fireplace TV Dice
- Android TVs, together with AT&T Streaming Field
- Apple TV 4K
- Google Chromecast Extremely and Chromecast with Google TV
- PlayStation 5
- Roku Extremely 4800x, Roku 4k TVs, Roku Premiere, and Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- Xbox Collection X
- Xfinity X1 (Xi6) and Flex
Is HBO Max definitely worth the cash?
HBO is a reputation synonymous with status TV. With HBO Max, that affiliation is equally as large of an asset to WBD, with the streamer constructing on among the greatest TV of the final twenty years and offering a house for WBD’s 100-year-plus catalog of content material. Not all streaming providers will survive this content material warfare, however HBO Max has so much in its nook, particularly with its large funding in blockbuster films.
It is already a fantastic streaming service, however the query is whether or not its originals make it stand out in an overpopulated US streaming panorama, particularly when the worth of entry continues to be comparatively excessive.
For us, HBO Max’s very good TV line-up makes the streamer definitely worth the value, however WBD’s formidable on-demand plans imply HBO Max’s future is unsure. After all, it might nonetheless be provided as a single platform – very like Discovery Plus will probably be – alongside WBD’s tremendous streamer. Till we all know extra, although, HBO Max might be the primary streaming service to formally drop out of the streaming wars – and that may be a tragic day for all, not least its present userbase.