Breaking: Max Paring Back Features for Ad-Free Subscribers, Offers $40 Off Ultimate Plan
Max is pulling back the features offered in its ad-free plan. The service sent an email to subscribers of its ad-free plan on Thursday, Nov. 2 informing them that there would be changes made on or after their billing cycle following Dec. 5 of this year.
- Effective on or after Dec. 5, Max is reducing the number of simultaneous streams for ad-free users from three to two.
- As of the same date, ad-free Max subscribers will no longer have access to select titles in 4K.
- In order to encourage an upgrade, Max is offering users a $40 discount on an annual Ultimate plan.
What Features is Max Changing for Ad-Free Subscribers?
When Dec. 5 rolls around, Max ad-free customers will no longer be able to watch on up to three devices at once. That number of simultaneous streams will be reduced to two, meaning that users will have to pick and choose which friend or family member gets to share their account with them. Max’s Ultimate tier allows for up to four simultaneous streams.
In addition, Max is removing 4K streaming ability on select titles for ad-free customers. Henceforward, 4K streaming will only be available on Max’s $19.99 per month Ultimate plan. No changes have been made to the number of downloads available on Max’s ad-free tier; that figure remains at 30 titles per account. The Ultimate plan allows the user to download up to 100 shows and movies to watch offline.
Why is Max Removing 4K Streaming and Reducing Simultaneous Streams for Ad-Free Users?
There was no official reason given for the reduction of features on the Max ad-free plan. However, when considering the changes were paired with a promotional offer for Max’s Ultimate plan (more on that below), it seems clear the company wanted to try and get more people to sign up for its most expensive plan. Max first launched its Ultimate tier when it brought discovery+ onto the HBO Max platform back in May.
It could also be a tactic aimed at getting current ad-free subscribers to downgrade to Max’s ad-supported plan. Ad-supported streaming customers bring in more money per customer than ad-free users do, because the streaming service gets their subscription dollars as well as money from advertisers based on how many users are viewing ads.
Is There a Discount Available on Max’s Ultimate Plan?
If you had your heart set on being able to stream on more than two screens with Max, and on being able to watch certain titles in 4K, the service is offering a promo code on an annual subscription of the Ultimate plan. Using a promo code found in the email sent to subscribers, users can sign into their Max account and get $40 off an annual Ultimate plan ($159.99 for the year instead of the standard $199.99).
To get this discount, all you have to do is:
- Follow this link to sign into your Max account.
- Click “Redeem a Code.”
- Enter the code found in the email sent to the address associated with your account.
Max
Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library, along with 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. Thanks to the B/R Sports add-on, users can watch NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.