HBO Max: Everything You Need to Know about the New Streaming Service

We live in an era when we have easy and instant access to entertainment. Gone are the days when we would have to wait for cable TV providers to air our favorite movie or series. With the arrival of a variety of online streaming platforms, browsing and binging a seemingly limitless world of movies and TV shows has become easier than ever.

It would not be wrong to say pioneers like Netflix and Prime Video have changed the way we access entertainment. Nowadays, the streaming war is heating up since varieties of new streaming services have been launched recently. And HBO Max is one of them.

What is HBO Max?

Launched on May 27, 2020, HBO Max is a U.S-based on-demand streaming TV service from AT&T's WarnerMedia. It has proved to be a content hub of HBO as it features HBO’s original content along with some of your favorite blockbuster movies and TV series from third-party distributors. What makes HBO Max set apart from the crowd is the fact that it also features a variety of Max Original series.

For now, you can only access the HBO streaming service in the U.S. and its certain territories. So, if you are a U.S. resident, it’s time to get yourself some snacks to munch on and enjoy your favorite content from the comfort of your living room.

Keep in mind though, that you must be connected to a reliable internet connection so that you can make the most of the service. Do you face glitches while streaming content with your current internet connection? Before you dive into subscribing to HBO Max, you should consider setting yourself up with a reliable internet plan offered by Cox, Windstream, AT&T, Spectrum, and HughesNet. Also, you need to make sure that these providers offer services in your area. For pro advice, you can reach out to a professional at 1-855-349-9328.

How Much Does HBO Max Cost?

For $14.99 per month, you can subscribe to HBO Max but you can get it for free if you are currently an HBO or HBO NOW customer. It would not be wrong to say that HBO Max’s price is almost the same as Netflix which ranges from $8.99–$17.99 per month but let’s not forget that it is more than Hulu ($5.99), or a Disney bundle that comes with Disney , ESPN  and Hulu for just $13.99 total.

With an unmatched collection of Warner Bros’ exclusive series and movies that HBO Max is expected to deliver, $14.99 per month seems worth it. For the newbies who felt baffled or confused about getting an HBO Max subscription, the HBO Max free trial was available until early December 2020. It offered 7 days free trial after its launch so that streamers could decide whether the new streaming service is for them. But unfortunately, HBO Max has halted the complimentary 7-day trial.

If you're a connoisseur of exclusive TV series or movies, HBO Max is a must-have for you. Being one of the biggest and richest video libraries in existence, it is the streaming service you need to have so you can browse and binge without leaving the comfort of your home.

HBO Max discontinued the free trial because it believes that it keeps updating and iterating its offers so that more subscribers could access their streaming service. The streaming service provider announced the axing of the trial shortly before the release of Wonder Woman 1984. It’s worth noting that HBO Max just could not afford people to dive in for the free trial then bail right after watching their favorite shows and movies.

What you need to know is that return of the free trial is not expected as of yet. So, you must subscribe to HBO max to watch its exclusive video library. In case, you don’t find the service any good, you can cancel it whenever you want.   

HBO Max Promotions and Deals

If you are an existing HBO cable/satellite subscriber, we have good news for you: HBO will let you enjoy HBO Max’s exclusive content at no additional cost. Yes, you read it right! You can get access to HBO with a traditional subscription to HBO through providers AT&T TV, Optimum, Spectrum, DIRECTV, U-Verse TV, Xfinity, Cox, Verizon Fios TV, and many more. Before you sign up, make sure you contact your customer service representative for pro advice.

Package	Streams	Hours of Content	Resolution	Price
HBO Max	3	10,000	1080p Select titles in 4K HDR	$14.99/mo.

Comparing HBO Max with Other Streaming Services

Let’s face it- HBO Max's library of movies and series is not as massive as that of pioneers like Netflix or Prime Video. The HBO Max streaming service comprises Disney and Warner Bros’ exclusive content. When it comes to simultaneous streaming, HBO Max allows you to stream up to 3 shows/movies at once which is obviously less than what Disney offers (4 streams at the same time).

If you don’t feel confident about subscribing to HBO Max, you need to take a look at the comparison between HBO Max and other streaming services. This will certainly help you with your decision. So, without further ado, let’s just dive right in!

Service	Streams	Compatible Devices	Resolution	Price
HBO Max	3	10	1080p, Limited 4K	$14.99/mo.
Hulu	2	13	1080p, 4K	$5.99–$11.99/mo.
Disney	4	13	1080p, 4K
Netflix	1-4	14	1080p, 4K	$8.99–$17.99/mo.
Apple TV	6	7	1080p, 4K	$4.99/mo.
Prime Video	3	13	1080p, 4K	$8.99–$11.99/mo.

HBO Max Shows and Movies

When it comes to HBO Max content, you will have access to every single show/movie that HBO has ever produced. Not only that, it is home to some of the most popular sitcoms like Friends and The Big Bang Theory. This is, without a doubt, a huge gain for the service.

No streaming library can impress you as much as HBO Max because it hosts blockbuster movies including The Lord of the Rings, Citizen Kane, North By Northwest, A Space Oddysey, Friday The 13th, Gone With The Wind, A Hard Days Night, Casablanca, and Braveheart and also a large library of catalog titles. The best part is, it offers more than 10,000 hours of content. Isn’t it great?

HBO Max is the only streaming platform where movies are debuted on the same day as theaters, that too at no additional charge. Here’s a list of a few titles you cannot afford to miss out on:

HBO Max Shows	HBO Max Movies
The Sopranos	The Invisible Man
Rick and Morty	The Lord of the Rings movies
Game of Thrones	DC Universe movies
Chernobyl	Inception
Curb Your Enthusiasm	Hobbs & Shaw
Watchmen	The Invisible Man
Friends	Ready Player One

HBO Max Original Programming

HBO Max has been trying its best to claw up the streaming service ladder ever since its launch. Along with some hits, it also features a number of original series, films, and documentaries to keep its audience glued to their screens. From scripted to unscripted series to kids and family programming, HBO Max Originals has a lot in store for you. Check out what you can expect from HBO Max originals:

HBO Max Original Scripted Series	HBO Max Original Unscripted Series	HBO Max Original Kids and Family Programming	HBO Max Original Movies and Documentaries
Beth & Sam	Expecting Amy	Looney Tunes Cartoons	15 Minutes of Shame
Close Enough	Birth, Wedding, Funeral	Little Ellen	Let Them All Talk
Crime Farm	First Dates Hotel	Infinity Train: Book Three	The Ancestor
Generation	Generation Hustle	Tig N' Seek	Persona
Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020	Friends cast reunion	Adventure Time: Distant Lands	Catching Out
Love Life	Karma	Tooned Out	On the Record
The Prince	Heaven's Gate	The Not Too Late Show with Elmo	Class Action Park

So.. Is HBO Max Really Worth It?

At the launch, the streaming platform was well-received due to its impressive library of classic Warner Bros. content, new originals, Cartoon Network shows, DC Universe movies, and HBO’s entire collection. But it also attracted some criticism when critics found out that the library of original series of sister network Cinemax are not offered on the streaming platform.

HBO Max subscribers have also expressed their frustration about the app’s frequent buffering issues and some other technical glitches. But since HBO Max launched over a year ago, you can now consider investing in this service.

When it comes to HBO Max’s interface, you will witness an entirely new look. Unlike Netflix, the home page of this app is less crowded. Needless to say, the app is not only easy to navigate but also quite well-organized because different categories of movies and TV series are broken down into "Max Hubs," or the third-party distributers that every content belongs to.

As we mentioned earlier, the subscription price for the service is a bit higher compared to other streaming services like Hulu and Disney . However, there is plenty of content to watch which makes the service worth it for many people.

What makes HBO Max stand out from the crowd is its device compatibility- apart from streaming on tablets or smartphones, it allows you to stream on other devices including Android TV, Apple TV, PlayStation 4, Roku, Xbox One, and Fire TV. All you have to do is download the app. Once you download it, you are ready to log into your account and enjoy your favorite content to the fullest.

All in all, if you are a diehard fan of HBO, this is the only way to consume a wide range of content including Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, and others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a possibility to subscribe to HBO Max via a provider?

Yes, you can subscribe to HBO Max through a variety of cable, live streaming TV, satellite, and mobile providers. Some of these providers are listed below: