What's New With HBO and HBO Max?

If you haven't heard of HBO, you're missing out. The popular cable network is owned by Discovery, which also owns Max and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as HBO, are part of WarnerMedia.

Both companies have grown rapidly in recent years, and both have strong programming slates and advertising revenue.

The companies recently announced that the combined value of their properties is $43 billion. However, it's unclear how this new ownership will affect their respective subscribers.

1. HBO Max has grown to more than 73 million subscribers

HBO and its streaming video service HBO Max have added more than 73 million subscribers to their rosters, according to a new regulatory filing from AT&T. In September, HBO had 69.4 million subscribers, but it guided that number would increase to 70 to 73 million by 2021.

Both services have grown significantly since their introduction last year. WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar recently announced plans to release a movie from each of its studios simultaneously. While the move angered Hollywood, it appears to be a successful one for both companies.

According to WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar, HBO's overall subscriber growth topped analyst estimates in all markets worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2021. However, he did not elaborate on why HBO's subscribers grew but added that it was "consistent execution" throughout all four quarters. HBO Max's success is credited to the launch of new series and movies and the expansion of HBO's streaming platform into new markets.

The success of HBO Max was likely boosted by recent blockbuster films, which were popular in December. HBO Max has surpassed their own subscriber goals by far, according to the company's 8-K filing to the SEC. The two services are available in 46 markets worldwide. HBO has seen growth across all regions, including Latin America, and plans to launch in more European markets in the fourth quarter of 2021.

The recent growth in HBO Max's subscriber numbers is not surprising considering that the company recently announced plans to merge with AT&T. AT&T would receive $43 billion in cash and debt securities from the WarnerMedia group, while Discovery shareholders would own the remaining 29%. The move could be beneficial for the entire industry. It's also expected to boost HBO's revenue despite the merger. But if the merger does not happen, it could have negative implications for the company's future.

While Netflix and Disney+ launched at the same time, HBO has been the faster-growing service. It's now available for more than 73 million subscribers worldwide, and HBO says that more than 70 percent of those users are in the U.S., and that number will grow even more with its launch in May 2020. HBO also landed new distribution deals with Amazon and Roku, and its streaming service has been added to both of these major U.S. gateways.

Related Reading: How to Watch HBO Movies on Your Mobile Device

2. HBO Max offers ad-supported tiers

HBO has announced an ad-supported tier for its HBO Max streaming service. The ad-supported tier will cost $10 a month. For comparison, Paramount Plus starts at $7.50 a month, while Amazon Prime starts at $13.90 per month, including free shipping and access to Amazon deals.

HBO Max is available to existing HBO subscribers and new customers in some regions. In addition, HBO Max offers ad-free tiers for existing customers and for new subscribers for a price of $15 per month.

In addition to HBO's library of original programming, HBO Max also offers an extensive catalog of movies and TV shows. The ad-supported tier is limited to the most popular films and shows, and ad-supported content isn't available for every movie. This feature enables advertisers to create a custom experience for their audience, based on their viewing habits, and to create a customized experience for each user.

Despite the ad-supported tier, HBO is promising to deliver the highest quality experience for its subscribers. The ad-supported tier will feature four minutes of commercials per hour, which is the lowest in the streaming industry. HBO Max also promises that advertisements won't play during original HBO programming, making the overall viewing experience much better. The company also says that it is working on innovative ad formats for the subscription tier.

HBO Max also has ad-supported tiers. The ad-supported tier includes 1080p video and is the best option for those who can't afford the ad-free tier. However, the lower-tier subscribers won't be able to download content and will only be able to view it on the platform for months after release. However, they will be able to stream all HBO original content in 1080p, and the ads won't appear during the original content.

HBO Max also has a great selection of original programming. It competes with Amazon's Prime Video and Netflix's Disney Plus, and offers a number of critically-acclaimed shows and movies. The latest addition to HBO Max's lineup is the Snyder Cut of DC's Justice League. The service also provides access to Warner Bros' archives and simultaneous theater and streaming releases. Some of these include The Suicide Squad, Dune, and The Matrix 4.

Related Reading: How Can I Watch HBO Without Cable?

3. HBO Max supported devices

Those who want to watch HBO shows on multiple devices should check out the list of supported devices, which includes the HBO Max. It was previously available only as an aftermarket option for Roku owners, but now is supported by Roku. The app can be updated on your old Roku device, and new users should download the app from the Roku store. This article explains the different supported devices and how they differ from each other.

While it's true that HBO Max is compatible with a variety of devices, the list isn't exhaustive. Some of the most popular streaming services such as "Friends," "Hacks," "The Office," "What If...," "Star Wars," and "Hacks" are also available, but you'll need a minimum of 5Mbps to stream them. In addition, you can download movies and shows to watch offline.

The most popular devices for HBO subscribers include Apple TV, Android TV, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Android mobile phones also support the HBO Max application. Roku and Samsung TV are also supported, as are a variety of PCs and Macs. In addition, HBO Max is compatible with selected cable boxes, such as Sky+ and DirecTV. So if you're not sure whether HBO Max will work on your devices, check the list and see if it's compatible.

If you don't have a Roku or Fire TV device, you can use the HBO Max app. Just download the HBO Max app from the appropriate app store and install it on your Roku. After installing the app, you'll be prompted to enter your existing HBO username and password. You can also use your cable or satellite credentials if you have an account with HBO. To learn more, check out the HBO website.

HBO Max is available for iOS and Android devices, and can be cast to your television via Google Chrome. The HBO Max app is also available for Xbox One users through the Microsoft Store. All users of Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will be able to enjoy HBO Max on their Xbox. To stream HBO Max on PlayStation, users will need to log into their PlayStation account. Unlike Apple's app, HBO Max does not support Nintendo systems.

Related Reading: How to Fix the HBO GO Won't Play Error

4. HBO Max pricing layers

The current pricing structure of HBO's premium channel is largely dependent on how much time a person wants to spend on the service. Those who are in their prime for a few hours of entertainment may find the Standard plan to be adequate. However, if they want to enjoy a full selection of films and TV shows, they may want to opt for the Premium plan. This plan provides all the features of the Standard plan but adds the option of unlimited downloads. HBO's Premium plan offers unlimited downloads and streams and enables subscribers to watch a range of films and TV shows in HD.

The basic plan includes ads, while the ad-supported plan allows users to watch content without ads. The latter plan is more expensive than the former but includes extra features like watching new movies from Warner Bros. 45 days after their cinema release, and HBO subscribers can enjoy new releases. For example, the May 2017 release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore will be available on HBO Max. HBO Max is also flexible in terms of pricing, as subscribers can upgrade or downgrade at will.

In addition to the main tier, HBO Max offers additional tiers with different price ranges. HBO Max is a subscription service that brings together HBO's original shows and movies with the Warner Bros. Discovery catalog. HBO Max costs $15 a month for ad-free viewing. It also includes original shows and more critically acclaimed films than its competitors. The higher price point of HBO Max is comparable to the highest price point of Netflix's main plan. While HBO's higher tier costs more than its competitors, HBO's quality and quantity of content make up for the extra cost.

Pricing for HBO subscribers can be confusing. With so many options available, it's difficult to know which to choose. HBO's free 7-day trial period ended in December 2020 and no explanation was provided. The company simply didn't want people to waste their money on movies they'd otherwise have watched for free. Therefore, they removed the free trial. Although there are other plans available, the basic pricing structure is the most cost-effective for consumers.

Final Words

After learning what's new with HBO and HBO Max, you may want to download some popular shows and movies from the streaming platform to watch without an internet connection. To do this, a separate HBO downloader software is the best option to go.