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Warner Bros.
- HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s on-demand streaming service, costs $15 a month.
- It’s the same price as HBO’s cable network, but includes a bigger library of movies and shows.
- Warner Bros. will also debut all of its 2021 movies on HBO Max the same day they launch in theaters.
HBO Max is a streaming service that blends HBO’s library of prestige original series with a huge catalog of blockbuster movies and TV shows provided by WarnerMedia. HBO Max launched in May 2020 for $15 a month.
Most people who subscribe to HBO through cable can claim their own free HBO Max subscription using their provider. In January, parent company AT&T said the service had already reached 40 million subscribers in the US, surpassing a goal it didn’t expect to reach for two more years.
HBO Max features way more content than HBO’s cable offerings, including brand-new theatrical releases from Warner Bros. Older titles and network shows, like “Friends” and “Rick and Morty,” are also available. Subscribers can watch new exclusive movies and series as well, including the sci-fi show “Raised by Wolves.”
With its large collection of programs, and a growing slate of original titles, HBO Max is one of our best reviewed streaming services.
Where can I sign up for HBO Max?
HBO
You can sign up for HBO Max right now through HBOMax.com. In addition to the HBO Max website, you can also sign up for an HBO Max subscription directly through select partner services, including AT&T, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse, Spectrum, , YouTube TV, Apple TV, and Google Play.
If you currently pay for HBO in your cable package, you likely already have access to HBO Max as part of your subscription. Depending on your provider, you may be able to sign directly into the HBO Max app, or you’ll be prompted to create an account. You can view a full list of qualifying HBO Max providers here.
How much does HBO Max cost?
HBO Max costs $15 a month, the same price as regular HBO and three dollars less than a premium Netflix subscription. For that price, you get ad-free access to all of the platform’s content.
As mentioned above, most people who already subscribe to HBO are eligible to receive HBO Max at no extra cost to their current subscription fee.
Though HBO Max initially offered a free trial period through its site, that promotion is no longer available. If you sign up for HBO Max as an add-on through Hulu, however, new members can still receive a one-week trial.
The differences between HBO Max, HBO Go, and HBO Now
HBO
HBO Max is an on-demand streaming platform combining HBO’s iconic original programming with an even larger library of movies and shows from WarnerMedia. The service is essentially a replacement for HBO’s older streaming options: HBO Go and HBO Now.
HBO Go was a streaming companion app for HBO cable subscribers, while HBO Now was a standalone streaming option with access to HBO without cable. On July 31, HBO discontinued the HBO Go app. On that same day, HBO rebranded HBO Now to just “HBO.”
Most people who were using the HBO Go or HBO Now app can now simply use their same account information to sign into HBO Max instead. You can see if your HBO subscription qualifies for HBO Max here.
HBO (formerly HBO Now) will continue to include streaming access to the same library of content that HBO cable subscribers can watch. This includes HBO original programming and the channel’s rotating selection of movies.
HBO Max, however, builds upon this content selection by incorporating more original titles and hundreds of additional TV shows and movies from WarnerMedia. HBO Max also allows you to download and store your favorite shows on your devices to watch while you’re offline.
For the time being, HBO and HBO Max each cost $15 a month. Since HBO Max offers a larger streaming library than HBO, it’s clearly the better choice.
Where can I watch HBO Max?
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HBO Max can be streamed via its official website and the HBO Max app. You can find the app on Apple, Android, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Samsung smart TVs.
Those who sign up for HBO Max directly though a partnered service, like Hulu or Apple TV, will be able to access regular HBO content through the partner service’s app. To watch HBO Max exclusives, however, you still need to use the separate HBO Max app.
Is HBO Max on Roku and Fire TV?
Though HBO Max was initially missing from Fire TV, Roku, and PlayStation devices when it launched in May 2020, the service is now available to download on all of those platforms.
Currently, LG’s smart TVs are the only major connected-devices that are missing native support for the HBO Max app.
What shows and movies are on HBO Max?
IMDB
HBO Max features all of HBO’s original shows, from “The Wire” and “The Sopranos” to “Westworld and “Game of Thrones.” The library also includes the cable channel’s rotating lineup of movies. On top of all that, HBO Max offers additional titles from WarnerMedia’s catalog, as well as new exclusives.
Most notably, HBO Max has become the streaming destination for brand-new movies from Warner Bros. the same day they’re released in theaters. “Godzilla vs. Kong” is the latest movie to premiere on HBO Max and theaters at the same time. New films will remain on HBO Max for 31 days. After that time, they will play exclusively in theaters until their official home video release.
HBO Max also features a handful of new original series, including the sci-fi show “Raised by Wolves,” the comedy series “Love Life” starring Anna Kendrick, and a new “Looney Tunes” show featuring Bugs Bunny and company.
Beyond original programs, the HBO Max catalog offers a wide range of TV series from DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Rooster Teeth, and Looney Tunes. The HBO Max movie catalog incorporates critically acclaimed films from the Criterion Collection and Studio Ghibli, alongside hundreds of blockbuster WarnerMedia movies. The service currently hosts 1,300 films.
For additional streaming coverage, be sure to read our guides for the best streaming services and the best streaming sticks and devices.
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