Does HBO Max have ads? Here’s everything you need to know
Does HBO Max have ads? Here’s everything you need to know
Find out how to cut out ads on HBO Max, what the ad experience on the streamer is like, and more here.
Premium TV is what HBO Max does best; it’s what the HBO brand has done best for decades. The HBO brand is synonymous with some of the best-known TV shows of the past 30 years, from “The Sopranos” to “Game of Thrones” to “Succession.”
But can you really have a premium viewing experience while being forced to watch ads? What is the philosophy toward ads on HBO Max anyway, and how much does it cost to upgrade to the ad-free, superior watching experience that HBO Max deserves? Find out what you need to know here.
What you need to know about ads on HBO Max
Does HBO Max have ads?
Yes, the lowest-priced HBO Max plan comes with ads during playback. Called the Basic with Ads plan, this tier costs $11 per month or $110 per year, allows viewers to stream on up to two devices simultaneously, and offers streaming in 1080p HD resolution.
Can you upgrade to ad-free HBO Max?
Yes, HBO Max has two ad-free plans. The Standard plan is priced at $18.49 per month or $185 per year, and includes ad-free playback, live sports from TNT, TBS, and truTV, and up to 30 downloaded titles for offline viewing at any given time.
The HBO Max Premium plan is also ad-free and improves on the features of the Standard plan. It streams on up to four devices at once, supports 4K resolution and Dolby Atmos audio, and includes 100 offline downloads, as well as the same sports access found on the Standard plan. It costs $23 per month, or $230 per year.
| Plan name | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| HBO Max Standard | $18.49 per month | Ad-free, HD streaming, up to 30 downloads |
| HBO Max Premium | $23 per month | Ad-free, 4K streaming on select titles, up to 100 downloads |
How to upgrade to ad-free HBO Max
- Click here to log into your HBO Max account.
- Locate your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Click Subscription from the drop-down menu.
- Choose Change Your Plan, and pick the tier you want.
How many ads do you see on HBO Max?
The Streamable gave HBO Max's ad plan a try last year and found that TV episodes had around four to five minutes of ads per hour of content. At the time, it had one of the better ad experiences on the market.
A few months later, however, HBO Max upped the number of ads per hour to as many as six. The streamer is on the hunt for more ad revenue as it seeks to boost profit margins, but that’s of small comfort to subscribers who have to swallow more commercials as a result.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.