HBO Max Announces New $9.99 Ad-Supported Tier That's Launching in June

[2010mini]

Or share credentials with a family member.

 

[JBGoode]

So going full circle on how cable started. Paid but with no ads to gradually be paid with a ton of ads...

I first had cable in 1975 and there were ads then…when was this magical time when cable had no ads? HBO didn’t have them , but that was also an additional charge to the cable bill.

 

[FyrStrike]

So you both pay and watch ads? The worst of both worlds.

Yeah, I’m not signing up to any service that makes us pay for both ads and content. Paramount+ does it to. These services are double dipping for profits which only makes a rotten user experience. And in a few years they will increase ads anyway … just like the did when cable TV first launched.

They should make it with ads for free or no ads for the $9.99 or $14.99 fee. It’s that simple.

 

[nburwell]

Granted I'm jaded, but I feel like this is the precursor to them bumping up the price of the regular $14.99 tier, and having this 'cheaper' tier option as a fall back in hopes to stem the churn.

This actually wouldn't surprise me at all. I hope the $14.99 price stays, but looking at how Netflix, ESPN+ and Disney+ have raised their prices (albeit ESPN and Disney only raised their price $1).

But with WarnerMedia joining Discovery, it certainly wouldn't surprise me to see the price go up at some point.

For now, I'll stick with the $14.99 plan as my wife and I have been enjoying the same day film releases as theaters.

 

[FyrStrike]

Yeah they should just offer the service for free so they don’t make any money and have to shut down…I mean I’m sure that’s how you would run your business right? Smh

No. You make a service with NO ADS for the $14.99 or $9.99 fee. That’s how they get revenue from those who prefer no ads. And then provide service WITH ADS for free. They will earn income from ad revenue from businesses who want to pay for the exposure in that demographic and some viewers do prefer ads.

But nobody likes to pay for a service these days with ads. They aren’t providing the option for viewers to choose. And that’s bad business ethics.

 

[Lestdog]

HBO should spend more time fixing their stupid app. It often won’t launch, low resolution for about 2 minutes when a show starts.. it’s awful.

 

[randolorian]

Any ad-supported tier should be free.

 

[Gasu E.]

Don’t like it. Ever since I was a kid, HBO has been about great programming without commercials. They don’t need a cheaper version. Also this shows that ads are worth about $5 a month for a service.

They certainly don't need a cheaper tier FOR YOU. Now, if only every other TV viewer were exactly like you...

 

[nvmls]

Insulting plan, cancelling the 14.99 sub as we speak. No respect for sub ads.

 

[aneftp]

Does anyone really pay “full price” for any of these services. HBO max free with my att wireless (I also have att fiber internet which gives me HBO max also for free)

i use my brother Verizon wireless free Disney plus/ espn plus/Hulu bundle
I use my other brother showtime anytime (included with his grandfathered att wireless)
Netflix 4 streams split with a close friend.

I feel bad for those paying for all these services full price

I do pay for YouTube tv but it’s not cheap anymore. $65 plus 12% state income taxes on streaming services (florida). That’s cause the wifey won’t cut the cord. But I let my brothers have my account access

so it can get very expensive all these services.

 

[sw1tcher]

So you both pay and watch ads? The worst of both worlds.

But yeah, pay for ads? I don't think so. Free with ads, maybe.

No different than cable tv.

 

[Techwatcher]

Or you can get high quality content from Apple TV+ for only $4.99/month. Ad free. Same price since launch. Highly recommend.

But yeah, pay for ads? I don't think so. Free with ads, maybe.

Apple TV+ has like 5 shows. That’s the issue. And I have Apple TV+. Good content but they need to push harder.

 

[_Refurbished_]

So you both pay and watch ads? The worst of both worlds.

Cable ring a bell?

 

[DogHouseDub]

Less revenue from cable companies has to be made up somewhere.

 

[1rottenapple]

Or you can get high quality content from Apple TV+ for only $4.99/month. Ad free. Same price since launch. Highly recommend.

But yeah, pay for ads? I don't think so. Free with ads, maybe.

i would not call apple tv as even on par with hbo in regards to content.

 

[nathansz]

i’ll watch ads for free content or pay
to not watch ads. not both

 

[Program_Install]

Every time I read an article about streamers and their prices, it makes me want to reevaluate who needs to get cut.

 

[Complex757]

Or you can get high quality content from Apple TV+ for only $4.99/month. Ad free. Same price since launch. Highly recommend.

But yeah, pay for ads? I don't think so. Free with ads, maybe.

Is this a Apple sponsored ad?

The content or quality content on Apple TV isn't even close

 

[scoobs69]

Jeez! Have they even released the Harry Potter movies yet? So much crap on the HBOMax...

 

[Okasian]

At least with HBO, the content is worth pirating.

Makes me feel bad for buying The Wire and Treme box sets now. (I’m the sucker here.)

(some hyperbole)

 

[zalusky]

The problem with this and other companies doing this is HBO will now have two customers the consumer and the advertiser. The advertiser will have the bigger leverage. Soon we will have broadcast problems like the advertisers pushing/pulling on certain shows for whatever reason and the consumer will have less and less say. It is a slippery slope.

I DON'T like it.

 

[jjudson]

I’ll happily forgo one beer a month to avoid this monstrosity…

 

[tonyr6]

I agree. I refuse to pay for any content that has ads. I always either pay extra or don't use the service if there is an free tier.

 

[jjudson]

Or you can get high quality content from Apple TV+ for only $4.99/month. Ad free.

No, thanks. The Wallpaper Paste Channel still costs too much…

 

[hatchettjack]

Since game of thrones ended, I didn’t even know hbo still existed!