HBO recently replaced the HBO Now with HBO Max. The new streaming service is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. HBO Max seems to offer a larger collection of shows and movies as opposed to the HBO Now. The list includes all the seasons of Game of Thrones, The Big Bang Theory, and Friends.
HBO Max Pricing and Availability
HBO Mac is priced at $14.99/month and also gives you access to a bunch of originals. If you have already subscribed to HBO Now then there is no need to pay anything extra. In other words, HBO Max is free for HBO Now users. Meanwhile, the HBO Now app on your device will automatically be updated to HBO Max.
The switch from HBO Now to Max seems to be pretty seamless. According to the company, you can sign up for HBO Max with existing credentials. After the first login, you need to tap on ‘Access All of HBO Max’ in order to get access to all the shows. Furthermore, the HBO Now library will continue to exist within the app.
That not all, HBO cable subscribers from DIRECTV, AT&T, Cox Contour, Optimum, Spectrum, and Suddenlink will get free HBO Max streaming access.
HBO Max on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Thankfully the HBO Max app is available for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. However, the HBO Now the app has been removed from Apple TV Boxes which means you need to use AirPlay to cast the shows from the iPhone app to the TV/Projector. New users can also subscribe to HBO Max via in-app purchases. The HBO Max app can be downloaded from the App Store.
HBO Max Drawbacks
The HBO Max suffers from some shortcomings or drawbacks. Firstly, HBO has not been able to strike a deal with Roku or Amazon. So if you have purchased HBO Now via Roku or Amazon app then the app will simply stop working. Secondly, HBO Max boasts of very little original programming and none of the shows are available in 4K. Users might find it frustrating to be blocked from Amazon and Roku devices after paying $14.99 for HBO Max.
HBO pulls Apple TV Channels integration following HBO Max debut
Hours after HBO launched its long-awaited HBO Max app on iOS, Apple TV, and other platforms on Wednesday, the AT&T-owned company has pulled streaming integration with Apple TV Channels.
One of the first major cable networks to sign on to Apple TV Channels, HBO is no longer available to new users accessing Apple's collaborative streaming hub.
Existing customers who signed up for HBO's streaming service through Apple TV Channels will retain access to the provider's content through the TV app. The situation could change in the coming months as HBO pares down its various streaming offerings in a move to consolidate and push users to HBO Max. Users are already being herded toward Max, as advertisements for the new service are plastered across the HBO section of Channels.
It should be noted that Channels programming does not include new shows, movies, and specials created or purchased for HBO Max. For example, users attempting to access Looney Tunes cartoons in Channels are directed to download HBO Max via the App Store. Those who subscribed through Channels can, however, use their Apple ID to authenticate the new, and more expansive, HBO Max app which debuted today.
Apple TV Channels were introduced alongside iOS 12.3 in 2019 as an alternative to dedicated streaming apps. Integration with Channels allows users to sign up and subscribe to a variety of premium television and streaming services in one place, thereby making standalone apps unnecessary.
HBO was among the first batch of paid cable providers to offer support for Channels when the system debuted. At the time, it was the only place HBO users were able to download content for offline viewing.
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