WarnerMedia is officially in the streaming game and launched HBO max. This streaming service was announced before I was available but it is finally online since May 27, which makes it the newest platform yet. You will have plenty of options to binge-watch here since their catalogue mixes content from many networks.
The service combines HBO’s catalogue and content from Cinemax, TBS, TNT, and other third parties content. This means Warner wants to compete with everything it has against established services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney +. Only their catalogue with jewels like Euphoria and GOT set the bar high, and here we will tell you what else to expect from this service.
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What do we know so far about HBO Max?
Well, So far we know that this is the official streaming service from WarnerMedia. If this isn’t clear enough, this means that HBO Go is saying goodbye, so we will only have one platform. Now, this gets a little confusing because you can have HBO or HBO Max, so, we will explain everything.
How much is HBO Max is going to cost?
For now, it costs $15 per month, without any add-ons. This is the price tag of the premium version with no ads, 4K content, download options, and access to some just-released movies. As you can guess, this makes it the most expensive streaming service, beating Netflix with its $13 per month. This might be a bit too much but the catalogue is worth it.
The good news is that if you already subscribed to HBO, you won’t pay anything extra. In other words, if you are paying HBO through a provider like AT&T, DIRECTV, U-VERSE TV, HULU, and some independent cable providers, you won’t pay any extra cost. This means, if you pay cable, you can save a lot and get an amazing catalogue of shows.
You could wait for the Ad-supported alternative that was launched in June for just $9,99 per month. As we said before, this is the most expensive streaming service, but there are a lot of shows and movies.
I don’t pay cable so, where I can subscribe?
For now, the best bet for you might be cable and paying through some provider that includes HBO. Many cable services include HBO and you could pay by billing and get the subscription. If this isn’t something that you want, you can also subscribe on their website, but many discounts are only available through cable provides.
How many devices support HBO and which ones can I use?
You might share your password and the HBO executive know this. Because of this, you only can stream on three devices at a time. You can be logged in on all the devices you want, but you can stream just three videos. However, you can watch all of the shows you already downloaded without any trouble.
Anyways, many devices support HBO Max, here is the list:
- Iphone, Ipad, Ipod Touch.
- Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K.
- Almost every Android Phone.
- Android TV.
- Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices.
- FireTV.
- Computers.
- Roku.
- Playstation 4.
- Xbox One.
- Samsung Smart Tv – 2016 to 2020 models.
What can we expect from the partnerships?
Right now WarnerMedia is still working on its partnership with DC. The company has already a close relationship with DC and many films you will see come from them. For now, they said they will release DC movies, like the Snyder Cut and Wonder Woman 1984. In other words, they will work with the comic giant.
Other partnerships that have us excited are the ones with Hulu and Studio Ghibli. You could access HBO Max from HULU and vice versa with an add-on. Of course, you will have to pay an extra charge of $15 but you will have both services on your hands. Finally, Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation giant, and you can watch their full catalogue on HBO Max.
Quality over quantity
HBO Max won’t have as many original shows as other streaming services. Robert Greenblatt, an executive, said that they will focus on “hitting home runs”. HBO wants to develop high-quality shows rather than many originals that no one will watch. They also said that they will release episodes weekly instead of whole seasons at a time.
Netflix and many streaming services have a lot of original shows that aren’t very popular. Because of this, HBO thinks the best way to compete with well-known streaming services is with great shows, like these ones. Also, the weekly releases are more common nowadays but since Netflix released whole seasons at a time, almost every stream service does this.
What shows and movies are on the service?
For now, they released only six original titles on their catalogue but they will expand this list over time. However, they have been working in 50 shows during 2002 and 2021 that will be in their catalogue over time. Some of the newest originals are Craftopia, On the Record, Love Life, Legendary, and Looney Tunes.
You can binge-watch the older shows too, like Euphoria, Games of Thrones, Westworld, and many more. We need to mention that the whole Friends series, including the reunion, will be in their catalogue. Other major TV shows are from the third parties involved with WarnerMedia and they will feature their iconic shows too.
If you are an anime fan, you should be happy because this service will house some Crunchyroll series. Popular anime like Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, Re: Zero, and some originals will be included. This means the whole catalogue is huge since you can watch many popular Cartoon Network shows, for example.
What about HBO Max Movies?
Warner has been involved with movies since forever, if you combine this with HBO and Max you get 10,000 hours of movies. This includes DC movies, and some classic films thanks to their partnership with TMC. You won’t be short of things to watch on this platform and we expect more releases over the year.
There are some big Warner Bros films and sagas like all of the Harry Potter movies and every Lord of the Rings movie. You can also watch every major animated DC movie and big titles like Suicide Squad or Wonder Woman. Anyways, here we included the major films that will be released or are already on the platform:
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
- In the Heights.
- Space Jam 2.
- The Suicide Squad.
- Reminiscence.
- Malignant.
- The Many Saints of Newark.
- Dune.
- Cry Macho.
- King Richard.
- The Matrix 4.
- Godzilla vs Kong.
We can say these are super productions and worth the price tag of the service. Since many theatres are still closed, you won’t be able to see these movies outside the streaming service. If this isn’t enough, you have a huge catalogue of amazing films made by third-party partners with WarnerMedia.
What is coming?
Many networks will revive a lot of their most beloved shows for this streaming service. Don’t worry; everything will be made with the highest quality and for the fans. For example, Search Party will be moved to HBO and will have season 4. Another big show that is coming back is Adventure Time, returning with four hour-long specials.
Other big names that are already going to be released over time are the Gossip Girl remake and the Sex and the City sequel. Gossip Girl is already popular and more episodes will be airing soon, but the Sex and the City spin-off is something that will be released soon. And, if you are a DC fan, a Green Lantern series is coming and it won’t be like the awful Ryan Reynolds movie.
Getting more into comedy
HBO Max wants to expand and include content that fits everyone’s taste. For now, there is a really good comedy library in their catalogue like many stand-up specials. They want to include several TBS specials that will fill this section. If you think the library is already huge, this will expand it a lot.
Right now the service partnered with Conan O’Brien and Team Coco to feature more comedy shows. This association means that the catalogue will include two specials made by rising comedians. Every set is one hour long and every set is already curated. With this, you can enjoy the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special, and the Friends reunion special.
Which show should I expect?
The Game of Thrones prequel was already announced and this is an example of what you should expect. House of the Dragon is on the make with Stephen King’s The Outsider. Also Jordan Peele and J.J Abrams Lovecraft Country will have another season, so you will have a lot to watch.
AT&T also spoke and said that they wanted to include some sports on the platform. This might come as an add-on or a paired third party, but probably HBO Max will include NBA, MLB, or Soccer games. In other words, there will be content for everybody in just one streaming service.
If you want more options and you definitely won’t pay cable, we have a little article about Disney+ you might want to check.
