HBO Max Just Got More Expensive: What You Need to Know
HBO Max just got more expensive, and subscribers are once again feeling the squeeze. Warner Bros. Discovery has announced new pricing for all HBO Max plans, marking yet another jump in the increasingly costly world of streaming.
Image Credits:Presley Ann/Getty Images for WarnerMedia
The Basic with Ads plan now costs $10.99 per month, a $1 increase. Its annual version is now $109.99, up by $10. Meanwhile, the Standard Plan has climbed to $18.49 per month, a $1.50 increase, with the yearly option now $184.99. For those on the Premium Plan, the cost has risen to $22.99 monthly or $229.99 annually — meaning an extra $2 or $20 per year.
When the Price Hike Takes Effect
For new subscribers, these updated HBO Max prices are effective immediately. Existing customers will see the changes reflected in their first billing cycle on or after November 20, 2025.
This marks HBO Max’s second price hike in just over a year — the previous one was back in June 2024.
Why Warner Bros. Discovery Raised HBO Max Prices
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav had already hinted at the increase during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference last month. Zaslav defended the decision by emphasizing the platform’s quality content, calling HBO Max “underpriced” compared to competitors.
“The fact that this is quality — and that’s true across our company, motion picture, TV production, and streaming — we all think that gives us a chance to raise prices,” Zaslav said. “We think we’re way underpriced.”
What’s Next for HBO Max Subscribers
Beyond higher subscription fees, Zaslav also confirmed that HBO Max plans to crack down on password sharing. Once implemented, the move will put HBO Max alongside Netflix and Disney+, both of which have enforced similar measures to curb account sharing and boost revenue.
The company believes these changes will help strengthen its streaming business amid rising production costs and competition from platforms like Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Peacock.
How HBO Max Compares to Other Streaming Price Hikes
HBO Max isn’t alone in its decision to raise prices. Over the past few months, Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV+ have all announced subscription increases. It’s becoming clear that the streaming industry is moving toward premium pricing, especially as platforms invest heavily in original shows and films.
Consumers, however, are starting to feel the fatigue. With multiple platforms raising prices simultaneously, many subscribers are being forced to reconsider which services they truly value — and which ones to cancel.
While HBO Max just got more expensive, Warner Bros. Discovery hopes that its deep library — from House of the Dragon to Euphoria and blockbuster Warner Bros. films — will convince users to stay.
Still, the increase may test loyalty among casual viewers, especially as economic uncertainty continues to affect entertainment spending.
For now, HBO Max’s future depends on how much value subscribers place on its content — and whether Warner Bros. Discovery can justify its higher costs with must-see programming.
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