HBO Now to HBO Max

[larryj]

It looks like HBO Now subscriptions that are directly from the HBO Now app will be converted to HBO Max in the near future. Apparently they won't be able to transition users that subscribe through 3rd party apps. I'm assuming that includes Apple TV channel subs.

I recently dropped DirecTV and I need to subscribe to HBO either through the HBO Now app or the Apple TV app. Other than this HBO Now/HBO Max transition, are there any other factors to consider?

 

[mallbritton]

We don't know how the HBO Channel subscription is going to work with the new HBO Max service. There have been no announcements.

 

[nburwell]

Are us HBO Now subscribers going to be forced to move to HBO Max? I certainly hope not (have no need for the extra content), especially since my subscription is billed via iTunes credit I have.

 

[mallbritton]

This might answer some questions: https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hbo-max-now-go-warnermedia-price-branding-1203388699/

 

[Rigby]

It looks like HBO Now subscriptions that are directly from the HBO Now app will be converted to HBO Max in the near future.

Max is supposed to launch in May 2020, so there's plenty of time to switch if necessary.

I recently dropped DirecTV and I need to subscribe to HBO either through the HBO Now app or the Apple TV app. Other than this HBO Now/HBO Max transition, are there any other factors to consider?

I recently switched to the Apple TV channel subscription. Main reasons are that I strongly dislike the UI of the HBO Now app, that playing content directly in the TV app is more seamless than switching back and forth between apps when using the Apple watch list, and that it allows downloading of HBO shows for offline viewing e.g. when traveling (although this is limited to 5 movies/episodes at a time).

I'd say just give it a try. If you don't like it you can still switch back after a month.

 

[FarmerBob]

Dropped Comcast Internet that came with TV that I never used except for HBO using it through HBOGO. So we lost HBO right before Season 8 of GoT, I had to come up with an alternative for the family. Checked all the TV and they had the HBONOW widgets. Subscribed and went to set up the TV's and the HBONOW widget on two of the TV's was gone! So I use the one month on a couple TV's and had to go with Amazon add-on HBO one sub per TV, expensive, for the others. Guess we miss out again if this doesn't trickle down.