Your HBO Max Bill Just Got Higher: What You Need to Know

Brace your wallets! HBO Max has hiked its subscription prices across all tiers, making it the third increase in as many years. We break down the new costs, when they hit your account, and how you might still save a few bucks.

TL;DR

• HBO Max increased all plan prices by $1-$2 monthly and $10-$20 annually, effective October 21, 2025.
• New subscribers pay the new rates immediately; existing monthly users will see changes on their billing date on or after November 20, 2025.
• You can snag HBO Max Basic with Ads for free with an annual DoorDash DashPass subscription.

Another Streaming Price Jump? Yes, Really.

Just when you thought your streaming budget was settled, here comes another curveball! HBO Max, the home of all things Warner Bros. Discovery (and, you know, HBO), has announced its third price increase in three years. If you're a fan of epic dramas like Succession or catching live AEW wrestling, your monthly or annual bill is about to get a bit heavier.

The new prices went live for new subscribers on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This isn't just a small bump; we're talking about increases across the board for all three tiers: Basic with Ads, Standard, and Premium.

Breaking Down Your New HBO Max Subscription Costs

Let's get straight to the numbers so you know exactly what to expect. Here’s the updated pricing for all HBO Max plans, with the increases highlighted:

• HBO Max Basic With Ads (Stream on two devices simultaneously)
  • Monthly: Was $9.99, now $10.99 (+$1.00)
  • Annually: Was $99.99, now $109.99 (+$10.00)
• HBO Max Standard (No ads, stream on two devices simultaneously)
  • Monthly: Was $16.99, now $18.49 (+$1.50)
  • Annually: Was $169.99, now $184.99 (+$15.00)
• HBO Max Premium (No ads, 4K content, stream on four devices simultaneously)
  • Monthly: Was $20.99, now $22.99 (+$2.00)
  • Annually: Was $209.99, now $229.99 (+$20.00)

Keep in mind, these prices usually don't include applicable taxes, so your final bill might be a smidge higher.

When Your Bill Will Change: Understanding the Rollout

So, you're not a new subscriber, but you're wondering when these new prices will actually hit your account? Here's the deal:

• New Subscribers: The updated rates are effective immediately as of October 21, 2025.
• Existing Monthly Subscribers: You'll get a 30-day heads-up. Your price increase will kick in on your next billing date that falls on or after November 20, 2025.
• Existing Annual Subscribers: Good news for you! Your price won't change until your current yearly subscription is up for renewal. You'll also receive a 30-day notification before that happens.

Basically, new folks pay more right away, but loyal subscribers get a little grace period.

Why Are Streaming Prices Climbing So High? The Bigger Picture at Warner Bros. Discovery

It's easy to feel frustrated when prices go up, but there's a larger trend at play here. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), HBO Max's parent company, is far from alone in this. Many streaming giants are shifting their focus from simply growing subscriber numbers to making their direct-to-consumer services actually profitable.

WBD CEO David Zaslav has been pretty open about this. He believes that as viewers "become more and more in love with the quality that we have and the series that we have," the company gains "a real ability" to raise prices. In fact, WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels previously stated in 2023, "There's no doubt that these products are priced way too low." This latest hike seems to reflect that ongoing strategy.

"I think our ability to raise price as people become more and more in love with the quality that we have and the series that we have and the offering that we have will have a real ability because I think the pricing across the board—not only is there too many players, in order to stay alive, a lot of the players have just decided to drop prices aggressively."

— David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery

Not Just HBO Max: A Wave of Streaming Price Increases Across the Industry

If your streaming bills have felt heavier lately, you're not imagining it. This HBO Max increase is part of a broader industry trend. Disney+ and Hulu also raised their prices on October 21. Before that, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Apple TV (which actually dropped the "Plus" from its name!), and Netflix all implemented price hikes earlier this year.

Companies are looking for different ways to offer value, and bundling is one strategy. The three-way bundle with HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu also saw a price increase of $3 per month. The ad-supported version is now $19.99/month, and the ad-free tier is $32.99/month. Verizon's myPlan customers can also snag Netflix and HBO Max's ad-supported services together for $10 per month starting December 7, 2025, which could be a decent deal if you're already with Verizon.

Slash Your Streaming Bill: The Smart DashPass Trick for HBO Max

Okay, so prices are going up. But what if there was a way to watch HBO Max and actually save money? Believe it or not, DoorDash has a trick up its sleeve for you. If you subscribe to an annual DashPass plan, you can get the HBO Max Basic with Ads plan included at no additional cost!

An annual DashPass plan costs $96 (or $8/month if billed monthly). That's already less than the new $10.99/month price for HBO Max Basic with Ads. So, you're essentially getting free HBO Max, plus all the perks of DashPass like $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders from restaurants and grocery stores, and exclusive discounts.

And if you're not a fan of ads? You can still upgrade to the HBO Max Standard (ad-free) plan for a discounted rate of $10.99/month plus taxes through your DashPass membership. That's a significant saving compared to the new standalone price of $18.49/month!

To activate this deal, you'll need to sign up for DashPass, then head to doordash.com/hbomax to link your accounts. It's a clever workaround in an era of rising streaming costs.

Is It Still Worth It? Diving into HBO Max's Massive Content Library

With prices going up, it's fair to ask: is HBO Max still worth the investment? The service continues to be a powerhouse of premium content. It brings together a huge library from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, Turner Classic Movies, and even acclaimed indies from A24 and Studio Ghibli. Last year, HBO Max cleaned up at the Emmy Awards, snagging 30 trophies for shows like The Pitt and Hacks.

Here’s just a taste of what you can watch:

• Award-Winning HBO Originals: The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Succession, The Penguin, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, Peacemaker, Hacks, Task.
• Popular TV Series: Friends, Abbott Elementary, Rick and Morty, The Big Bang Theory.
• Hit Movies: From DC Universe films like Superman to upcoming titles like A Minecraft Movie and Sinners.

What's New and Coming Soon to HBO Max's Growing Lineup

WBD isn't just raising prices; they're also touting a strong pipeline of new and returning content. Later this year, look out for the horror prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry, The Chair Company, and I Love LA. And mark your calendars for January 2026, when the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is set to debut, alongside new seasons of The Pitt and Industry. Plus, Peacemaker season 2 recently wrapped up, hinting at its return.

Beyond Movies & Shows: The Impact on Sports Fans

For sports enthusiasts, particularly NASCAR and AEW wrestling fans, these price hikes also have a direct impact on how you access your favorite events.

NASCAR Driver Cams: A Pricey View from the Cockpit

NASCAR fans know the value of HBO Max for its innovative Driver Cam feature, which was introduced in February 2025. This feature offers complete access to every driver's in-car camera during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, complete with immersive audio blending team radio chatter and raw car sounds, all in crisp 1080p. However, racing journalist Jeff Gluck highlighted the new cost, tweeting, "It will now cost $185 a year to get the NASCAR in-car cameras." While he deems it "worth it" for his coverage, it's definitely a "pricey add-on" for the average fan, as it's tied to the Standard annual plan.

AEW Wrestling: Live Action and Pay-Per-Views

HBO Max is also the go-to platform for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) content. All tiers include live streaming episodes of AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision, plus a back catalog of old AEW content. However, for those big pay-per-view (PPV) events, like the recent WrestleDream, you'll still incur additional charges on top of your regular subscription fee. The AEW All Out event in September was the first PPV to stream on HBO Max, with the upcoming Full Gear PPV set for November 22, teasing a big match between Mercedes Mone and Kris Statlander.

The Future of Warner Bros. Discovery: A Potential Sale?

Adding another layer to all these changes, Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced it's reviewing "strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value." Translation: they're open to a sale, or selling off parts of the company. WBD has received "unsolicited interest" from multiple parties, and while an initial bid from Paramount was refused, the company is still exploring its options.

Some analysts suggest this price hike could be a "sweetener" to make the company's streaming business look more attractive to potential buyers. It's a dynamic time for WBD, and how this plays out could significantly reshape the Hollywood media landscape.

FAQ: Your Top Questions About the HBO Max Price Hike How can I get HBO Max cheaper or even for free? The best current deal is through an annual DoorDash DashPass subscription. This costs $96/year (or $8/month) and includes HBO Max Basic with Ads for free. You can also upgrade to the ad-free Standard plan for a discounted $10.99/month plus taxes. When do the new HBO Max prices take effect for existing subscribers? Existing monthly subscribers will be notified 30 days in advance and will see the new prices on their billing date on or after November 20, 2025. Existing annual subscribers won't see an increase until their renewal date, also with 30 days' notice. What kind of content can I watch on HBO Max? HBO Max offers a vast library including critically acclaimed HBO original series (e.g., Succession, The Last of Us), movies from Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios, classic films from Turner Classic Movies, Studio Ghibli, popular TV shows like Friends and Rick and Morty, and live sports content like AEW wrestling and NASCAR Driver Cams. What's the difference between HBO Max Basic, Standard, and Premium?

• Basic with Ads: Includes ads, streams on two devices simultaneously.
• Standard: Ad-free, streams on two devices simultaneously.
• Premium: Ad-free, includes 4K content, streams on up to four devices simultaneously.

Sources

• Variety: HBO Max Raises Prices Across All Plans Effective Immediately
• Deadline: HBO Max Joins Streaming Price Inflation Wave, Hikes Cost Of Plans
• Kotaku: HBO Max Quietly Raises Prices Again Amid Reports Warner Bros. Is Looking To Sell Itself Off
• Vulture: HBO Max Hikes Prices As Zaslav Puts Up a ‘For Sale’ Sign
• MassLive: HBO Max Increases Prices on All Plans Effective Immediately
• PFSN: HBO Max Threatens NASCAR Engagement With $185 Barrier to Key Race Footage
• TheSportster: AEW Fans Will Now Have To Pay More To Watch AEW Content On HBO Max
• CBS News: HBO Max price increase: There's still one way to watch free