HBO Max
- $9.99/month with ads
- $14.99/month without ads
HBO Max launched in 2020 as an amalgamation of HBO, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and their related brands. It will also feature Discovery+ content in the coming months now that Warner Bros. and Discovery have merged. If you are a big fan of watching HBO, here’s why you’ll fall in love with this streaming service.
Advantages of HBO Max
Watch Episodes As Soon As They Air on TV
HBO Max airs exclusives as soon as they premiere on TV, meaning you don’t have to wait a day like Hulu, or months like Netflix, to see the new episodes of your favorite HBO show. It also features all of HBO’s original shows, such as Game of Thrones, Sex in the City, The Sopranos, Succession, and Euphoria.
HBO Max Originals
In addition to hosting all of HBO’s original shows, this streaming service has its own original series, including The Flight Attendant, Our Flag Means Death, and DC Comic’s live-action Peacemaker.
DC Comics
Speaking of DC, Disney+ has Marvel, and HBO Max has DC Comics. DC has a ton of classic, old animated shows like Justice League, Superman: The Animated Series, and Static Shock. Newer entries, like Peacemaker and Young Justice, are also very popular.
Get New Movies on Your TV Sooner
You can find new movies such as The Batman and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore from Warner Bros. Entertainment on HBO Max as early as 45 days after their theatrical release. So, if you are unable to see these in the theater, you won’t have to wait too long!
Watch Friends and More
Even after all these years, the hit TV show Friends is still as popular as ever. After leaving Netflix in January 2022, it made its new home at HBO Max, where you can also find Friends: The Reunion. You can also find TV shows and movies from CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, TBS, Adult Swim, Loonie Toons, Studio Ghibli, and more!
Disadvantages of HBO Max
The Price Does Not Match the Content
When you think about what you're paying for, HBO Max is one of the more expensive subscription services. If you want ad-free shows, it’s $14.99 a month. This price gives you access to little more than 2,500 movies and TV shows. Yet, in comparison, Netflix costs $9.99 a month for access to more than 5,000 titles, and while Amazon Prime Video also charges $14.99 a month, it gives you access to over 26,000 titles.
HBO Max Originals Are Not Doing So Well
Not including Game of Thrones, other HBO Max originals have not been too successful. Their shows, such as The Flight Attendant and Raised by Wolves, just did not manage to catch the world’s attention like Netflix’s Squid Game or Tiger King did. So if you’re looking for original new shows to watch, HBO Max may not be the best place for you to look.
New Episodes Debut Weekly Just Like Regular TV
Like with Disney+, you have to wait for weekly drops of each new episode on HBO Max. This is because it’s still catering to its HBO cable viewers.
The streaming wars have begun, and boy, oh boy, is the competition heating up. There are many advantages and disadvantages to subscribing to each TV streaming service, so be sure to pick and choose what works best for you carefully!
