HBO Max hikes prices for third consecutive year
▼ Summary
– The Basic with Ads subscription package is increasing by $1 monthly or $10 annually, bringing prices to $10.99 and $109.99 respectively.
– Standard ad-free subscription prices are rising from $16.99 to $18.49 monthly and from $169.99 to $184.99 annually.
– Premium 4K streaming subscription costs are increasing from $20.99 to $22.99 monthly and from $169.99 to $184.99 annually.
– The Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle with ads is increasing by $3 monthly to $19.99, while the ad-free version rises from $29.99 to $32.99.
– These new prices take effect immediately for new customers and on November 20th for existing subscribers, following CEO David Zaslav’s recent comments that HBO Max was “way underpriced.”
HBO Max subscribers face higher costs for the third year running as the streaming service implements another round of price increases across all subscription tiers. This latest adjustment affects both monthly and annual plans, continuing a trend that has seen the platform grow progressively more expensive since its launch.
Customers on the Basic with Ads package will see their monthly bill rise by one dollar, moving from $9.99 to $10.99 per month. For those who pay annually, the cost jumps by ten dollars, reaching a new total of $109.99 for the year. The Standard ad-free subscription, a popular choice for viewers who prefer uninterrupted content, is increasing from $16.99 to $18.49 each month. Its annual counterpart climbs from $169.99 to $184.99.
At the top end, the Premium 4K streaming plan is also getting more expensive, shifting from a monthly fee of $20.99 to $22.99. The yearly price for this premium tier is rising to $184.99. Furthermore, the bundled offering that includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max is receiving a significant price hike. The version with advertisements is increasing by three dollars per month, moving from $16.99 to $19.99. The largely ad-free bundle subscription will now cost $32.99 monthly, up from its previous price of $29.99.
Industry observers anticipated this move after comments from Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. During a recent financial conference, Zaslav described the HBO Max service as significantly undervalued, suggesting that the high caliber of its original programming and extensive library justified a higher price point. He emphasized that the quality of content spanning motion pictures, television production, and streaming provides a solid foundation for implementing these increases.
These new pricing tiers take effect immediately for anyone signing up as a new subscriber. Current customers will see the changes reflected on their bills starting November 20th, giving them several weeks to adjust their budgets or reconsider their subscription choices before the higher rates apply.
(Source: The Verge)
