Self-Instruct
The streaming world is vast and complicated, and there are now multiple services that carry the HBO name. Two of those services are HBO Max and Max, which can create confusion for viewers who are trying to understand the differences between them. In this article, we'll break down what sets HBO Max and Max apart from one another.
HBO Max
HBO Max is the more comprehensive and premium service of the two. It includes all of the HBO content that viewers are familiar with, like the latest episodes of Westworld, Game of Thrones, Lovecraft Country, and more. Beyond that, it also has a vast library of movies and TV shows from other WarnerMedia brands like Warner Bros., DC, CNN, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim.
Some of the flagship titles that viewers can stream on HBO Max include The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, The Matrix, Harry Potter, among others. HBO Max is also the exclusive home of new Warner Bros. movies, which stream on the platform the same day they hit theaters. This means that viewers subscribed to HBO Max can see blockbusters like The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Godzilla vs. Kong without leaving their house.
HBO Max has two tiers of pricing: $9.99 per month with ads, and $14.99 per month without ads. Additionally, cable subscribers who have a subscription to HBO can activate HBO Max for no extra charge and access all of the content available on the platform.
Max
Max differs from HBO Max in a few key ways. Firstly, it's only available to cable subscribers who already have HBO as part of their cable package. This means that viewers can't subscribe to Max directly, the way they can with HBO Max.
Max's content is also different from HBO Max's. It's a streamlined version of the service that caters to viewers who mainly want to catch up on HBO's original programming and get access to some extras. Max includes access to all of the latest episodes of shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Succession, Euphoria, and The Undoing, among others. It also has a selection of documentaries, late-night shows, and limited series. Additionally, Max has bonus content like behind-the-scenes documentaries and interviews with actors and creators.
Max's pricing structure is straightforward. As mentioned earlier, viewers need to have an existing subscription to HBO through their cable provider to access Max. Therefore, costs for Max will vary depending on the cable subscription and its pricing.
A note on HBO Now
It's worth noting that HBO Max replaced HBO Now, which was another standalone streaming service from the network. HBO Now had access to all of HBO's content, but it didn't feature the extra content available on HBO Max. However, after the launch of HBO Max, HBO Now was eventually sunsetted, and its subscribers were offered a chance to upgrade to HBO Max at no additional cost.
Why the difference?
The difference between HBO Max and Max can be boiled down to two things: breadth of content and pricing. HBO Max offers a much larger library of movies and TV shows, as well as bonus features like same-day releases for Warner Bros. movies. Max, on the other hand, is more focused on HBO's original programming and offers access to some extra features.
The pricing structure for both services also differs. HBO Max has two tiers, with the cheaper tier featuring ads, while Max is only available to cable subscribers who already have a subscription to HBO. The reason for the different pricing in HBO Max is likely due to the larger library of content available on the platform, while Max's pricing is likely tied to an existing subscription package.
In conclusion, HBO Max is the premium and more comprehensive streaming service of the two, while Max is designed for cable subscribers who mainly want to stay up-to-date on HBO's programming, with some extras thrown in. Knowing the difference between the two will help viewers choose which service best fits their needs and maximize their viewing experience.