That’s because HBO Max will be automatically bundled with many other different services, a perk similar to some Verizon customers getting a year of Disney+ gratis, but on a larger scale.
AT&T Plans
TV Most people who get TV service through HBO owner AT&T’s TV providers — DirecTV, U-Verse, and AT&T Now — will get some access to HBO Max.
As long as you subscribe: DirecTV Premier and Lo Maximo; AT&T U-Verse U400, U450, and U450 Latino; AT&T TV Now Max and PremiereOne year: DirecTV Choice, Xtra, Ultimate, Mas Ultra, and Optimo MasThree months: All other U-Verse, AT&T TV, and DirecTV plans except AT&T U-Verse Family and Basic plans, AT&T TV Now Plus, and DirecTV Family
Wireless AT&T Wireless customers who have the Unlimited Elite plan get HBO Max for free. Those with other AT&T Wireless plans can try the service free for one month. Internet Similarly, subscribers to AT&T’s Internet 1000 plan get HBO Max for free. Those with other AT&T internet plans can try the service free for one month.
Existing HBO TV Plans
Traditional TV Providers It sure feels like you shouldn’t have to shell out for HBO Max if you already pay for HBO, and in most cases that isn’t true. WarnerMedia has struck deals with most major TV providers — Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Charter Spectrum, Consolidated Communications, Cox Communications, and Verizon Fios — and some smaller providers who are part of the National Cable Television Cooperative. HBO subscribers who get their service through any of these companies will automatically gain access to HBO Max. No deal with Comcast has been struck, so if you pay for your HBO service through Xfinity then you won’t receive access to HBO Max, though you can cancel it through Xfinity and get an HBO Now subscription. Streaming TV Providers
Existing HBO Now Plans
None of the above
If you find yourself ineligible for free access to HBO Max, you can still save some money. A limited number of people who sign up before the service launches on May 27 will pay $11.99 per month for the first year, three bucks off the normal rate. It’s not as good as free, but if you want to check out the HBO Max library it’s still saves you a little cash.
