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HBO today officially shut down its Apple TV channel, forcing customers that previously used the channel part of Apple TV to access HBO content to upgrade to HBO Max.

hbomax1.jpeg

HBO began promoting a notice to users on its Apple TV channel reading that it will be "ending its channel service on July 22" and that users are now required to "get HBO Max to continue watching." The channel was originally shut down for new subscribers when HBO Max launched last year, but existing subscribers continued to access the channel.

HBO Max is its own separate Apple TV app available from the App Store.

Simultaneously, as HBO shuts down its Apple TV channel, several users are reporting across social media that HBO has removed the ability within its HBO Max app to sign in with an Apple ID account. Users who were previously signed up to HBO via the Apple TV channel had done so through their Apple ID. Now, with the channel shut down and the ability to sign in with an Apple ID missing, some users are locked out from their accounts until further notice.

Some users have found success in retrieving access to their account by creating a new HBO Max account using the same email address used in their Apple ID.

Article Link: HBO's Apple TV Channel Shuts Down Today, Forcing All Users to Migrate to HBO Max
 
Will this kill access to HBO Max on older Apple TV devices? If I remember correctly the old Apple TV's didn't let you add an app. I had an old Apple TV I took out of service yesterday, so I can't check.
 
hate this is happening. streaming is now cable, and its been like that now. everyone has its own streaming services, charging $15 per stream almost. it adds up quickly. I looked at my streaming bill a few months ago, and it was approaching cable costs.. and I was paying for internet too.

its time to return to torrents and grey market. hello emby and plex.
 
As usual it comes down to communication. The HBO channel had a notice that it was shutting down on July 22. But the HBO Max app said nothing. So if (like me) you only used the HBO Max, you had no idea this was happening. And neither Apple nor HBO could bother to send an email explaining the situation and what to do to resolve it. HBO told me that Apple was supposed to be notifying customers today that: (1) the HBO Apple TV was discontinued by HBO; (2) refunding the balance of any HBO Apple TV channel subscription; (3) providing instructions for resubscribing via HBO Max and a $9.99 promo for that. But when I talk to Apple support, they have no idea about any of that.
 
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At this pace I think we will end up paying more subscribing to each channel individually, now they discovered the gold mine of monthly subscriptions.
hate this is happening. streaming is now cable, and its been like that now. everyone has its own streaming services, charging $15 per stream almost. it adds up quickly. I looked at my streaming bill a few months ago, and it was approaching cable costs.. and I was paying for internet too.
Only if you subscribe to all those services simultaneously instead of 1 or 2 at a time, watching what you want for a month or two, then pause/cancel, and subscribe to 1 or 2 new services the following month, then repeat this process every month or two.

Plus, some people get some services for free/included with their wireless service (Netflix with T-Mobile, HBO Max with AT&T, Disney+ with Verizon), or discounted ($1.99/mo for Hulu basic).

Supplement those services with a digital antenna and/or other free streaming services/apps (Roku channel, Tubi, Pluto tv, YouTube, etc) and you should have more than enough content to watch.

Or better yet, go outside.
 
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We did a month or two of HBO Max to watch GoT front to back. There is a ton of content on HBO, we have been subscribed for a few months now going through some shows during the off season for our usual shows.

Not bad. I like getting with my Apple account balance since that money was purchased at a 10-20% discount during sales on gift cards.
 
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hate this is happening. streaming is now cable, and its been like that now. everyone has its own streaming services, charging $15 per stream almost. it adds up quickly. I looked at my streaming bill a few months ago, and it was approaching cable costs.. and I was paying for internet too.

its time to return to torrents and grey market. hello emby and plex.
Love having Emby all set up. Took a little effort, but huge return on investment!
 
As a guy who mostly watches movies, I find there to be far more value in HBO Max than Netflix, Prime and Disney+.

Netflix has an exceedingly boring catalogue with so much nonsense crammed into obscurity that it's just monotonous low-quality content advertized on repeat, with no indication that they will be changing direction.

Disney started strong but is only interesting when there is a new Marvel or Star Wars show. Their premier access is crap because they haven't offered anything good since it launched. Subscribing for one month per year and then binging the OC of the previous year seems like the smartest way to use the service.

Amazon Prime is always going to be mediocre, because they split the subscription cost with their other services.

However, as a movie guy, I just prefer to buy my movies and compile them with MoviesAnywhere. iTunesMovieDeals is a great resouce, so is DigitalCodeSell on Reddit.
 
HBO Max is actually a great service. Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, old movies... I use Fubo for local channels and "cable" TV.

The TCM part disappoints me though. It's full of movies from the 80s and after. With just a smattering of classic films. While I was expecting it to be more like the channel. With a heavy focus on the 1930's through 1950's. With stuff after 1970 being pretty rare.
 
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Wow! Shocking. It sounds like HBO is trying hard to create their own platform like Disney. Or, they are trying to go big. Don’t think the customer ratio is that big.

They have had their service for many years now. It is actually quite good.

HBO Max is actually a great service. Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, old movies... I use Fubo for local channels and "cable" TV.

I hate this subscription craze tbh, but HBO Max is one of those worth paying for along with Disney+. I could not be happier with the content, I keep discovering new shows all the time.
 
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At this pace I think we will end up paying more subscribing to each channel individually, now they discovered the gold mine of monthly subscriptions.
They'll find a way to get your money. We do quite a bit of stop and go. Have a couple of services active, shut down what you're not actively using much, activate a service with movies and shows you currently want to watch. Probably harder for a family if folks want to watch different things on different services?
 
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HBO max keeps digging its hole deeper and deeper.
How so? Why go to the Apple TV Channel first then find HBO Max.

HBO Max isn't being removed from Apple TV or the App Store. It's much more efficient to go straight to HBO Max, instead of loading an unnecessary channel as a middle man.

Imagine going to Apple TV -> Apple Channel -> Amazon Prime -> HBO Max. At some point you could be in an infinite loop.
 
At this pace I think we will end up paying more subscribing to each channel individually, now they discovered the gold mine of monthly subscriptions.
Set and forget it old school. Need to do what streaming is all about. Not the old cable subscription on a new wire. Set a monthly budget, manage what this month's or year's subscriptions will be. Example $40 a month. Which four ten-dollar streaming will we watch this month. Yes, more management but a significant increase in the viewing over the year. If one looks at each of these channels thousands of shows, most view very few. I understand families can be more challenging. Streaming design is not set it and forget it. Requires more management for significant savings and awesome viewing. Otherwise, higher costs cable viewing on a different delivery platform.
 
I never use Apple channels, I just subscribe individually.

HBO Max I get ‘free’ from both at&t and xfinity internet. I pay for apple one, Disney+ yearly, Berlin philharmonic… sometimes Netflix and paramount+ but only when there are new shows to watch.
 
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