HBO Max, the streaming service from HBO and WarnerMedia that was first announced nearly two years ago, is now up and running with popular shows like White Lotus and Mare of Easttown, as well as new releases from Warner Bros. (such as Dune and Zack Snyder’s Justice League).
Has HBO Max proven to be a worthwhile investment? Because this streaming service differs from others in a few key ways. We’ve outlined everything you need to know for instance how much HBO Max is in this article below.
Quick Guide: How much is HBO Max and packages available?
As a thank you to the streaming gods, HBO Max now comes in two different price points.
In addition to exclusive Max Original programming, both offer unrestricted access to all 10 of its entertainment centers, including HBO, Classics Curated by TCM, DC Comics, Studio Ghibli, Sesame Workshop, Cartoon Network, Crunchyroll, Cartoonito, Adult Swim, and Looney Tunes.
Both options allow you to stream to 3 devices at the same time, as well as create up to five user profiles for each. There’s no binding agreement, so you can cancel HBO Max at any time you want.
HBO Max Ad-supported plan: $9.99 (12.69 CAD) per month or $99.99 (127.04 CAD) annually. HBO Max Plans with no advertisements are available for $14.99 (19.05 CAD) per month or $149.99 (190.57 CAD) per year.
With the $14.99 (19.05 CAD) ‘Ad Free’ plan, you can watch premium TV without being distracted by annoying commercials. There are a few 4K HDR titles (Wonder Woman 1984 and Zack Snyder’s Justice League) that can be downloaded for offline viewing, as well as a maximum of 30 titles per profile that can be saved for offline viewing.
HBO Max Canada is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, LG TV, HBO Max on Apple TV, Google Chromecast, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & S, iPad, Android, and iPhones, as well as other devices. The HBO Max service is now available on Roku, Fire TV Stick, and Contour TV devices.
Where can I sign up for HBO Max?
If you’re interested in HBO Max, you can sign up for the service at HBOMax.com. If you don’t want to use the HBO website, you can sign up directly through several partner services for an HBO Max subscription including AT&T, Spectrum, AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, Hulu, and YouTube TV.
In most cases, if you already pay for HBO as part of your cable package, you already have HBO Max.
Does HBO Max offer deals?
There are currently no HBO Max deals or discounts available directly on the HBO website, but you can get a nice discount available on the monthly plan of HBO Max up until January 25th. Prepaying for HBO Max’s annual plan at $99.99/$149.99 (127.04 CAD/190.57 CAD) for the next year will save you 20 percent off the current price.
As an alternative, Cricket Wireless offers an Unlimited plan that includes a free ‘With Ads’ HBO Max subscription for new or existing customers.
Is HBO Max Free Trial still available?
In terms of the 7-day free trial, what do you think? For customers in the United States, this was phased out in December of 2020. In new territories, HBO Max often offers an introductory week-long free trial that lasts for a few months when the service is launched.
There will be a HBO Max free trial for anyone streaming in these countries on March 8 when the service is made available to countries in Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe.
Anyone who has a current HBO or HBO Now subscription is eligible for a free HBO Max account as long as they are registered with an eligible provider.
How much does HBO Max cost compare to Netflix?
Ad-supported HBO Max provides both affordability and quality content with only a few functional limitations. Because both services have raised the price of their subscription plans, Netflix and Hulu are now on an equal footing in terms of pricing – the Basic option is now $9.99 (12.69 CAD).
Yes, Netflix still reigns supreme in the world of online video. With 36,000 hours of content to HBO Max’s 13,000, it has nearly three times the amount of original programmings, such as funny Sex Education and the frank, the popular fantasy epic The Witcher, and the global streaming hit Squid Game. HBO Now also has a lot of original programming. You can choose from three tiers: $9.99 (12.69 CAD) Basic, $15.49 (19.68 CAD) Standard, and $19.99 (25.40 CAD) for the premium version.
Netflix’s Basic plan is starting to look a little. Subscribers can get high-quality media for a reasonable price with HBO Max. Even though Netflix offers the same number of streams for the same price, HBO Max offers better picture and sound quality, as well as shows like “Game of Thrones,” “Success,” and “The Wire” that have changed the definition of quality drama.
More devices (up to four) are only available with Netflix Premium, which also outpaces HBO Max in terms of the number of Ultra HD titles available for streaming (more than 500 where HBO Max has around 40 in 4K).
Netflix, on the other hand, offers a plethora of programming with no interruptions from commercials. For the more discerning film and television fan, HBO Max may be a better option.
How much does HBO Max cost compare to Amazon Prime Video?
To be honest, HBO Max pales in comparison to Amazon Prime Video. It’s cheaper than an ad-free HBO Max subscription, comes with perks like free delivery and free music streaming, and has a whopping combined total of over 20,000 films and TV shows. With a $119 (151.20 CAD) annual subscription, you’ll get about a 25 percent discount and access to hundreds of 4K Ultra HD movies and shows.
HBO Max, on the other hand, enjoys a significant advantage thanks to the high-quality content that can only be found on HBO Max. In addition to the Academy Award-winning animations of Studio Ghibli, other hugely popular shows in Japan include South Park, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and The Big Bang Theory.
It’s the only place where you can watch all of HBO’s classic shows, as well as newer favorites like Mare of Easttown and Max Originals. Gossip Girl, Harry Potter, and Station Eleven are just some of the shows you’ll find on Netflix this year. They’re waiting for you to devour them.
How much does HBO Max cost compare to Disney Plus?
One of the most popular video-on-demand (VOD) streaming services, Disney Plus has more than 120 million subscribers and a plethora of well-known brands. It’s a steal at just $7.99 (10.15 CAD) a month, too. HBO Max’s new ‘With Ads’ plan, which is less expensive, means that the company will be able to take a larger share of the VOD profits, especially from adults who want to see more mature content.
Streaming from a Disney Plus account can be given or shared with up to four people at once, whereas HBO Max only allows three people to do so. Nevertheless, when it comes to movie selection, the Mouse House has a small advantage over HBO Max, which offers more than twice as many titles for a fraction of the price. While Disney Plus costs $7.99 (10.15 CAD) a month, if you want an ad-free experience, you’ll have to pay $14.99 (19.05 CAD) a month.
In both cases, content is king, and some well-known brands and film franchises have their own dedicated home on each platform. Those who are fans of Marvel, Pixar, The Simpsons, and The Muppets, as well as Star Wars spin-offs like The Book of Boba Fett, will flock to Disney Plus, while those who prefer DC Comics, Studio Ghibli, nail-biting TV dramas, and blockbuster films will pay the slightly higher price for HBO Max, which offers a wider variety of content.
How much does HBO Max cost compare to Apple TV Plus?
For the most part, Apple TV Plus has been a slow-burning VOD service, quietly accumulating subscribers with its high-quality, unique, and limited-release TV shows and films – such as the award-winning Ted Lasso and the newsroom drama The Morning Show, which stars Jennifer Anniston.
Up to 5 people can share a single account. It’s more than any other streaming service on this list – for just $4.99 (6.34 CAD) per month. As a result, the selection of titles is incredibly thin, with the majority of its content being Apple TV originals. HBO Max has hundreds of films and series to choose from, compared to the 90 or so on this service.
Apple TV Plus’s content is often on par with HBO’s in terms of quality. There’s Dickinson, a critically acclaimed film, Servant, a horror series from M. Night Shyamalan, and the breathtaking space drama For All Mankind. In addition, it acquires a number of award-winning films, including Denzel Washington’s Macbeth.
Everything in this video is of the highest quality and can be viewed in stunning 4K resolution. Only HBO shows like The Wire, Euphoria, Sex & the City, and The Sopranos have elicited the same level of fandom.
There’s a lot to look forward to with Apple TV Plus, despite its lower price point than HBO Max. Emancipation, which stars Will Smith and has a western setting, and Marin Scorcese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, a murder mystery comedy, are all coming to theatres on January 28.
How much does HBO Max cost compare to Hulu?
Going with Hulu seems like a no-brainer. At $6.99 (8.88 CAD) a month, or $69.99 (88.93 CAD) a year, there’s an impressive library of more than 4,000 titles to choose from to stream.
You can, however, get a similar experience to HBO Max by purchasing a few add-ons that really raise the price. Don’t want to see those obnoxious commercials? Then you’ll need to pick the $12.99 (16.50 CAD) Hulu (No Ads) option.
More than two people are sharing your account with you? Unlimited Screens costs another $9.99 (12.69 CAD), which brings us to a monthly total of $23 (29.22 CAD). Suddenly, the $14.99 (19.05 CAD) price tag for HBO Max’s ‘Ad-Free’ plan doesn’t seem quite as extortionate as previously thought.
Hulu is a no-brainer in terms of value and convenience. Students can subscribe to its Basic plan for as little as $1.99 (2.53 CAD), while cable subscribers can pay as much as $69.99 (88.93 CAD) a month for Hulu with Live TV, which includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus in addition to the usual array of live channels and extensive on-demand content.
As a result, it outperforms HBO Max in terms of value. The quality of HBO’s content, on the other hand, is undeniable – and anyone who disagrees can take their disagreements to Tony Soprano.
How much does HBO Max cost compare to other streaming services?
If you’re interested in live sports but don’t want to give up your cable subscription, you’re better off using an IPTV service, such as Hulu + Live TV. Do expect to pay four times as much as HBO Max.
The most affordable option is Sling TV, which has monthly plans ranging from $35 to $50 (44.47 CAD to 63.53 CAD). For an additional fee, you can add Extras to your package, which will give you access to an additional 50 channels. At $64.99 (82.57 CAD), YouTube TV is almost twice as expensive as Sling, but it makes up for it by offering more than 85 channels and allowing you to skip commercials.
FuboTV, on the other hand, has more options than even YouTube. The $64.99 (82.57 CAD) Starter Plan gives you access to more than 100 channels, and if you need more, you can always upgrade to Elite.
How Many Devices Can Stream HBO Max?
When HBO Max first launched, it wasn’t available on every platform, which led to a lot of frustration and misunderstanding. It wasn’t until December 2020, right before the premiere of Wonder Woman 1984, that WarnerMedia and Roku agreed to a partnership agreement.
Then again, HBO Max is now available on all of the most popular streaming devices, as well as some more. Here is a list of devices that can be used to stream content:
- iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
- HD and 4K versions of the Apple TV
- Android Phones
- The Android TV
- Chromecast
- Fire TV
- Roku
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox one
- Samsung TVs (2016 models and later)
Here’s how to get in touch with HBO Max customer service if you’re having issues with your account or app.
HBO Max New TV Shows and Movies
With the addition of “HBO Originals,” HBO Max is now rolling out a slew of high-profile original TV shows and movies. Netflix’s On the Record, Love Life, and The Not-Too-Late Show With Elmo are some of the first shows available on the service, which is currently in its beta testing phase and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, and West Wing reunions are just some of HBO Max’s newest originals, which are also available on the service’s back catalog.
Several episodes of HBO Original TV shows have already been released, and new episodes will be released weekly. According to the show, the number of episodes in a season varies. HBO Max’s library isn’t as extensive as Netflix or Hulu’s, but its originals and exclusives keep it relevant.
HBO Max Originals
HBO Max, like its rivals Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus, offers original films, television shows, and documentaries to its subscribers. As of this writing, Max Originals has received numerous accolades and awards. The Flight Attendant, Hacks, Gossip Girl Reboot, Sex and the City Sequel, And Just Like That, and Station Eleven are a few of the more well-known titles.
Peacemaker, Green Lantern, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Dune: The Sisterhood and Justice League Dark are among the Max Originals currently in development and upcoming projects.
HBO Max Same-Day Movie Releases
This year’s slate of WarnerMedia films, which includes The Matrix 4, Dune, Space Jam: A New Legacy, King Richard, Mortal Kombat, and Tom and Jerry, will be released on HBO Max the same day they premiere in theatres.
At your own pace, you can catch up on the latest blockbusters on Netflix for 31 days. With this deal, HBO Max has a significant advantage over its rivals in the streaming market. In the near future, more studios are likely to follow suit, and this is just the beginning.
HBO Max Canada Overview
HBO Max, a premium streaming service from one of America’s most popular studios, launches at the end of May 2020.
In 2020, the platform had a sluggish start compared to competitors.
In its first year, Disney+ had more than 74 million subscribers, far exceeding expectations.
By the end of December, HBO had racked up nearly 13 million subscribers, and the company hailed its launch as “flawless.”
John T. Stankey, CEO of AT&T, made the statement, but the stats don’t support it.
Only a third of HBO’s subscribers took advantage of the free access to HBO Max.
In light of HBO and Warner Bros.’ decision to simultaneously release their 2021 titles on HBO Max and in theatres, this is a bit surprising.
Stankey believes that the new partnership will benefit both theatres and consumers, allowing them to choose how to watch WB and HBO programming.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, studios, theatres, and audiences are benefiting from this novel approach.
HBO GO vs. HBO Max
HBO Go vs. HBO Max was a hot topic when HBO Max debuted in May 2020. HBO responded to this confusion by clarifying and then simplifying its programming.
At the time, this is how they looked.
There are two ways to access HBO Max: through the website or the app, which features content from both HBO and WarnerMedia. It has a month-to-month fee of $14.99 (19.05 CAD).
Subscribers to HBO’s cable or satellite packages have access to an on-demand streaming service called HBO GO. HBO MZax absorbed it.
Customers without cable or satellite can now access HBO through HBO NOW, a stand-alone streaming service. It costs the same as HBO Max at the moment, which is $14.99 (19.05 CAD) per month. HBO will cover the cost of HBO Max for these subscribers. HBO Now is currently known as HBO.
HBO Max vs. Netflix
HBO and WarnerMedia own the rights to the content they stream through HBO Max, which sets it apart from other subscription streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Because licensing agreements have expired, movies and television shows will not be taken down.
Some shows and movies may be put on and taken off HBO Max at WarnerMedia’s discretion. For the time being, you won’t be able to see everything in the WarnerMedia vault through this service.
In order to maintain exclusive streaming rights on their content and avoid revenue splits with a third party, more and more traditional media companies (such as NBC’s Peacock and CBS’s Paramount Plus) are creating their own streaming services.
HBO and WarnerMedia have the ability to add more shows and films to the HBO Max library in the future, but this is not a given.
What shows and movies are on HBO Max?
“The Wire,” “The Sopranos,” “Westworld,” and “Game of Thrones” are all available on HBO Max. The cable channel’s on-demand movie collection is also available in the library. It also includes additional WarnerMedia titles, as well as new exclusives, on HBO Max.
Even more notable is the fact that HBO Max is Warner Bros.’s exclusive streaming home for all of their newest releases. HBO Max keeps new films for 31 days. Until their release on home video, they will only be available to see in theatres. “Dune,” “The Many Saints of Newark,” and “The Matrix Resurrections” are three of the most recent theatrical releases to appear on HBO Max.
Other original series on HBO Max include the critically acclaimed “The Flight Attendant”, “Genera+ion” high school dramedy, and a new “Looney Tunes” series with characters such as Bugs Bunny and company.
Beyond original programming, the HBO Max catalog includes shows from CNN, DC, TNT, truTV, TBS, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Looney Tunes, and Rooster Teeth. Criterion Collection and Studio Ghibli films are included in the HBO Max movie library, as well as hundreds of WarnerMedia blockbusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will HBO Max Ever Come to Canada?
During the streaming wars, tech giants are squabbling over supremacy in the market. Despite this, Warner Bros. doesn’t have plans to make HBO Max available in Canada.
Conclusion:
In our opinion, At $14.99 (19.05 CAD) a month justifies the cost of an HBO Max subscription. You’re still saving money over going to the movies to see the latest releases. If you’d rather not deal with crowds or Covid fears in a theatre, an HBO Max subscription allows you to enjoy the latest shows and films from the convenience of your own home.
Your favorite shows are available to watch on-demand and as many times as desired with an HBO Max subscription.
