HBO Max joins the crowded playing field of premium streaming services on May 27th, offering not just your favorite HBO programming, but new content like aFriendsreunion,every DC movie, andseason three ofSearch Party(that one’s for me). But unlike a CBS All Access or Peacock, HBO Max isn’t a premium spinoff of a regular, free TV network. HBO itself is already a premium cable service that offers premium streaming services HBO Now and HBO Go. And with all these versions of HBO floating around, we figured we should answer the questions that might be on your mind: What is HBO Max? How, exactly, do I watch HBO Max? And most importantly: Can I watch it for free? We’vesortedthroughthesourcesto give you the following answers:
What Is HBO Max?: Well, it’s not really HBO. “HBO Max” was the name chosen by parent company WarnerMedia for its new streaming service because of the brand recognition of HBO. Which is why you’ll find far more than just HBO content on HBO Max—library film titles from Warner Bros., all seasons of non-HBO shows likeSouth Park,Rick and Morty, andThe Big Bang Theory, and Studio Ghibli movies, as well as all-new original HBO Max original series and eventually even HBO Max original films.
When Does HBO Max Launch?:June 16, 2025
Hopefully, this explanation makes some sense to you, and we’ll keep y’all updated as we know more. For more HBO Max news, here’s anew batch of original programmingyou’ll be able to watch when it launches.
So if you have these services, how do you get HBO Max now that it’s launched? The press release explains:
Existing HBO NOW direct-billed customers, as well as those who are billed throughApple,Google Play,Samsung,OptimumandVerizon FiosInternetwill get instant access to HBO Max today at no extra cost, with the HBO NOW app automatically updating to the HBO Max app on supported devices.
Users can access HBO Max across a range of supported devices, includingAndroid phones and tablets,Android TVincludingSony Android TVs(2016 models and later),Apple devices(iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD),ChromecastandChromecast built-in devices, computers (Chromebooks, PC and Mac browsers), selectSamsung Smart TVs(models 2016-2020),PlayStation 4 systems,andXbox One. Please checkherefor updates as additional devices are added.
