Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video are all great, right? Heck, it can be hard to choose just one! But if you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of all four streaming giants and HBO Max, in particular, look no further.
In May 2020, HBO launched its streaming service HBO Max, and now you can get HBO Max in Australia and other countries through a VPN. With a library of popular HBO shows and a price point ($15/month), plus exclusive original programming. HBO Max is poised to compete with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
After days of handful research and review, we’ve come up with four key factors that make HBO Max stand out from the other streaming. So let’s take a look!
What HBO Max Offers that Others Don’t
Warner Media’s new service is down to compete with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. HBO Max will have a large catalog of movies and TV shows with exclusive content from Warner Media, like DC Comics and HBO.
No doubt, Netflix is the dominant player in the streaming market. But other than that, HBO Max could give Netflix a run for its money. Yet, outside of a few third-party bundles, HBO Max does not provide a free trial.
So you may be hesitant to sign up without learning more. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Continue reading and get to know everything about HBO Max’s plans, pricing, channels, and packages.
Bundling Packages
Due to the service’s popularity, very few HBO Max deals are available. You can save 16% by making an annual payment over monthly payments. This reduces the annual cost of the ad-supported service to $100, a $20 savings.
The ad-free service costs $150 per year, saving you $30. But HBO Max does not have its bundles. In addition, many others have created bundles that include the HBO Max service.
- AT&T Wireless — HBO Max is part of the Unlimited Elite package, which costs $50 per month for four lines.
- Cricket Wireless — Customers on the $60/month plan receive an ad-supported version of HBO Max.
Read More: Nerds magazine’s list of the best non-Netflix, Hulu, and Prime streaming services!
HBO Max’s Cost for Free Trial
For new subscribers, there is no HBO Max free trial available. Although, some providers like Hulu and YouTube TV provide a seven-day free trial. When signing up for HBO Max free trial via another streaming service, you have a few options, including:
- Hulu with HBO Max – Hulu gives HBO Max a seven-day free trial. After seven days, it’s $15 per month. To find HBO Max, go to your Hulu account and select “Manage Add-Ons.”
- YouTube TV – New HBO Max subscribers can get a one-week free trial before paying $15 per month.
- DirecTV Stream – With the “Choice and Ultimate” packages, new subscribers can get HBO Max for free for three months. After that, it’s $15 per month. The Premier package already includes HBO Max.
- Verizon – also provides a seven-day free trial of HBO Max, followed by a monthly fee of $15.
- AT & T Services – AT&T’s Fiber Internet 1000 plan includes HBO Max, as do its U–Verse TV U400, U450, and U450 Latino plan.
Original Programming
It has 13,000 hours of premium content, including the entire HBO library from Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, and Turner Classic Movies. In addition, titles from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Crunchyroll, CNN, DC, Looney Tunes, Rooster Teeth, TBS, TNT, and truTV are also available.
For instance, the HBO library includes films such as News of the World starring Tom Hanks, The Sopranos, Mare of Easttown starring Kate Winslet, and Sex and the City. Moreover, Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot, and Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa is available in the DC library.
The Sesame Workshop provides Sesame Street and other Sesame Street favorites. Top-rated films from Turner Classic include Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and All the President’s Men. Looney Tunes gives its cartoon library, which includes the original Space Jam.
Local Networks on HBO Max
There are no local networks available to watch on HBO Max. But even so, you can use an HBO Max add-on combined with your best-loved live TV streaming service that includes local networks.
Access to ABC, CBS, NBC, and other networks is available through several of the most popular live TV streaming services. For example, a YouTube TV subscription with the HBO Max add-on is one way to get the best of both worlds.
It’s also worth noticing that you can access HBO Max with a cable subscription. You won’t have to pay twice if you already have HBO as part of your traditional cable package. When creating an HBO Max account, simply select the “Log in with cable provider” option.
On that account, HBO Max can also be viewed on a wide range of devices. This includes computers, tablets, gaming consoles, Roku devices, Smart TVs, Xbox, Amazon Fire Stick, and many others for a better viewing experience for its users.
How Much Does HBO Max Really Cost?
The cost of standalone HBO Max varies depending on the plan you select and the duration of your payments. The basic plan includes ads and costs $10 per month, while the ad-free plan costs $15 per month.
In addition to removing commercials, the ad-free plan includes a few other benefits. The main benefit of the ad-free plan is the ability to watch new Warner Bros. movies 45 days after they are officially released.
This feature includes major box office blockbusters like The Batman, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Elvis, Creed III, and others. (for example, users were able to watch The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, and Paul Dano, on April 19 with an ad-free plan).
The power to download movies and shows to watch offline is also a second subscriber-friendly feature of the ad-free plan. Finally, movies and TV shows are available in HD in the ad-supported plan, while select titles in the ad-free plan are broadcast in 4K Ultra HD.
Summing Up!
HBO Max isn’t cheap, but the amount of content available more than compensates. Whether you’re looking for exclusive movies, kid-friendly TV shows, or original series, you won’t find them anywhere else. HBO Max has steadily built one of the best catalogs in the business.
Meanwhile, HBO Max is a premium streaming service that offers 1000s of hours of entertainment for a low monthly fee. It’s a shame there isn’t a free trial for the platform. But most viewers will get a lot out of an HBO Max subscription.
Overall, we believe the ad-free $15/month subscription fee is worthwhile. This is for when, especially if you don’t have HBO through your cable provider.