Everything You Need to Know About HBO Max
As the pandemic has presented media companies with the need to reshape their industry, Warner Media recently announced that their upcoming feature films will be simultaneously released in both theaters and their HBO Max streaming platform. For the general public, this means avid moviegoers can take the risk of spreading COVID-19 in cinemas for a full cinematic experience, while those unwilling to take the risk can enjoy the box office from the comfort of their own home (we hope you choose last).
HBO Max launched on May 27th, bewildering the masses with the pre-existing HBOGo, HBO NOW and HBO cable and on-demand services. Here’s what you need to know to watch the upcoming 2021 blockbusters.
How to access HBO Max
Depending on which HBO access you have, there are different ways to access the HBO Max app. But to begin with, perhaps the first thing to note is that HBO Go is no longer active (website and app). HBO Now is simply the HBO channel available at play.hbonow.com . HBO Now is not HBO Max.
HBO Now and Cable TV Subscription Owners
If you have HBO through your cable TV provider and they also support HBO Max, you can access the latter at no additional cost. Download the app and select “Sign in with TV or mobile operator”. (Since AT&T owns HBO, you also get access to HBO Max if you pay for HBO through AT&T or if you pay for one of AT&T ‘s premium wireless plans .)
If you had a paid HBO Now subscription, you should be able to use your credentials to access HBO Max (on supported subscription platforms ). The two services are not identical; you’ll find more content on HBO Max than on HBO. More on this later. Plus, you can’t install HBO Max on your Roku as an app, so if that’s more important to you than content, you’ll have to stick with an outdated experience.
How to sign up for the new HBO Max subscription
To subscribe to HBO Max, simply visit hbomax.com and click Sign Up Now . You can pay $ 14.99 per month or $ 69.99 prepaid for six months of service, which saves you 20% on recurring monthly payments. The prepayment option is only available until January 15, 2021 . There is no free trial (at the time of this writing).
HBO Max Contains More Than HBO Content
The same content you’ll find via HBO with Cable and On Demand is still available on HBO Max. So why do you need HBO Max? One important answer is clarification: HBO Max isn’t just HBO content, it’s actually Warner Media’s full-fledged streaming platform, and WarnerMedia owns much more than just HBO , from Crunchyroll to Cinemax to DC Entertainment. It’s only named after HBO because, well, I think it’s the perfect, recognizable brand for prestigious television. If you’re only streaming through the legacy HBO website or app and not HBO Max, you won’t get all of this additional WarnerMedia content.
The streaming service also makes it easy to watch your favorite HBO programs on the go, and is customizable to suit your personal preferences. You can have your own profile and create a watchlist for quick access to your favorite shows, as well as multiple profiles .
What devices support HBO Max?
As of December 2020, you can watch HBO Max in the following directions :
Phones / Tablets
- Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (with iOS 12.2 or later)
- Android phone and tablets (with Android OS 5 or later)
- Amazon Fire Tablets (4th generation and later)
Computers
- Any Mac, Windows, or Chromebook with Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Windows), Edge Chromium, or Safari (12 or later).
Other devices
- Amazon Fire TV devices (with Fire OS 5.3.6 or later)
- Android TV with Android OS 5 or later
- Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with the latest tvOS software
- Playstation 4
- Compatible Samsung TVs
- Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S