- HBO Max starts at $9.99 per month for the ad-supported version.
- HBO Max has more than just HBO’s amazing bank of movies and shows. There’s a new series of programs, Max Originals, only available on the platform. It’s also got tons of content under the Warner Media banner, and it’s the new home for Sesame Street. The launch also unveiled two special treats for subscribers: A 20-movie Studio Ghibli collection.
- HBO Max is available through a variety of devices, including iOS and Android devices, Google Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung smart TVs, Playstation 4, and XBox One.
HBO Max launched May 27 2020, becoming the newest and arguably best way to stream HBO content. Along with HBO’s great content it brings with it a series of exclusive Max Originals. HBO Max is changing the equation, offering what the entertainment giant is positioning as an upgrade over its prior platforms.
Here’s everything you need to know about the latest member of the HBO family before you sign up.
WATCH: What Is HBO Max?
How much is HBO Max?
HBO Max is $9.99 per month for the ad-supported version. There is also an ad-free option for $14.99 a month.
What’s on HBO Max?
HBO Max has just one all-you-can-watch plan that touts HBO’s relationship as part of the WarnerMedia family. In its promotional campaign, HBO touts “10,000 hours of premium content bringing together diverse brands including Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, DC, Turner, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, and Looney Tunes.
It’ll have access to award-winning HBO series and documentaries, of course. HBO built its reputation on shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Veep, and they’ll be available to stream alongside newer entries like Westworld, Insecure, and I Know This Much Is True.
There’s also a block of kids’ programming on HBO Max highlighted by Sesame Street. HBO acquired the beloved program in October 2019 and it’s ordering five new 35-episode seasons to accompany the massive 50-year archive now in its stable.
The movie options go deep into the Warner Empire’s vaults. If Max is like its predecessors, there will be some titles available for access for only a limited time, to join the plenty of movies joining everything from classics to relatively new titles accessible anytime.
Also, as the Daily Dot reported in the run-up to HBO Max’s launch, the Zach Synder cut of 2017’s Justice League is promised as an HBO Max exclusive by 2021. That’s thrilling those who made #ReleaseTheSnyderCut a trending hashtag for months.
HBO Max Originals
Part of the appeal will be a new slate of original programming, including streamable new titles that launched along with HBO Max on May 27.
- Legendary, a vogueing competition that includes members of the Queer Eye team as executive producers. The cast includes MC Dashaun Wesley and DJ MikeQ as well as celebrity judges Law Roach, Jameela Jamil, Leiomy Maldonado, and Megan Thee Stallion;
- Peacemaker; a continuation of the hit movie Suicide Squad starring John Cena as a the titular Peacemaker, a hyperviolent vigilante who longs to be a superhero. Full of gore and laughs, this might be the best show on HBO Max.
- On The Record, a documentary that debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim, covering music executive Drew Dixon’s journey to publicly accuse hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of sexual assault;
- Craftopia, a kids’ crafting competition show doubling as a vehicle for YouTube influencer Lauren Riihimaki (better known as LaurDIY), who will be the show’s host and executive producer; and
- The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo, featuring the endearing Sesame Street character breaking into the talk show host game. Guests will include Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, comedian John Mulaney, New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander, actress Blake Lively, and performers Lil Nas X and The Jonas Brothers.
- Looney Tunes Cartoons, a reboot of the classic cartoon series; as NPR’s Glen Weldon noted, “There’s a decided commitment to delivering old-school Looney Tunes action and gags — that means lots of slapstick violence, wisecracks, a reversion to character designs from the early 1940s, and good old-fashioned cross-dressing.”
What can you stream HBO Max on?
HBO Max can be streamed on Apple devices, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast as well as gaming consoles like Xbox One and PlayStation devices. The service is also available as a Hulu and YouTube TV add-on.
HBO Max downloads and multiple screens
Unlike its predecessors, HBO allows downloads for offline viewing. You can save up to 30 show episodes and/or movies across all devices you use for accessing the platform. Once you get to 30, you have to choose what to delete before you’re allowed to download something new. The Downloads section of your profile lets you know what you’ve claimed. Meanwhile, the Manage Devices section of your account helps you know which devices are tied to your account.
As far as multiple screens go, customers can access the service from three devices simultaneously.
How does HBO Max compare to the competition
Showtime
Before HBO unveiled HBO Max in May 2020, the choice between these two services might have boiled down to which original programming and documentaries you like more. Both services feature a substantial amount of quality content, and both services pride themselves on cultivating new and fascinating shows in a seeming effort to one-up each other.
HBO Max, however, is a bit of a game-changer. Now, with its expanded content, and its tentacles into anime, Harry Potter movies, classic movies, and new original content, the upgraded service is decidedly surpassing Showtime in its content offerings. There’s even an argument to be made about HBO Max having greater value, even though it’s priced $4 a month higher than Showtime’s $10.99.
Netflix
The Daily Dot’s review noted that while the service was not quite a “Netflix killer” upon its arrival, it looked to be on its way to that status. Netflix still has a great collection of movies and shows across a wide spectrum, and it still creates original series and documentaries that occasionally transcend the entertainment sphere and get into the zeitgeist. (Lest we need to remind you, Tiger King aired on Netflix.) HBO Max’s pricing puts it in between the Standard and Premium plans, which further makes the case that Netflix is, for now, a slightly better deal. But they’re both great services, and if you can’t live without HBO shows, you might want to create a plan incorporating both.
Hulu
While other premium channels with Showtime and Starz still look at HBO as a measuring stick, HBO Max is now placing itself into a whole other tier, and hence comparison with Hulu. Hulu’s got some definite advantages, namely in its pricing and its ability to bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ to create an impressive package. However, when you consider the giant library that HBO acquired, plus the way its programs stack up against Hulu originals, it’s harder to call one the clear winner over the other.
Is HBO Max worth it?
Absolutely. HBO Max is arguable the best streaming service on the market right now. With a $9.99 per month ad-supported option it’s the best budget streaming service for movie fans. $14.99 is a steal for ad-free blockbusters, TV, original series, and a massive library of older movies.
HBO Max offers one of the most diverse collections of programming around. It’s collection of classic TV and movies rivals Hulu and Netflix. When you want modern hits the HBO library pulls all of today’s biggest movies direct from theaters. It’s a content wonderland.
Collections like Studio Ghibli, Sesame Workshop, TMC, Looney Tunes, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim are massive wins for the service. In each case, they offer a little something that you can’t find on other services. There’s everything from groundbreaking anime to world-class children’s programming. The deep cuts in the TMC library, in particular, stand out. It gives hope for a future where classic movie fans can find all the titles Netflix and Hulu ignore.
It’s gotten so better year over year since it launched, making HBO Max quickly become our favorite service.
How to sign up for HBO Max
Signing up for HBO Max is easy. Just go to the site, sign up, and login on your favorite streaming device.
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