HBO Max offers pricing deal with pre-order

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Just in case you're on the fence about trying out the new streaming service HBO Max, the platform is offering a price cut if you pre-order ahead of the May 27 launch.

Customers will get a 20% discount on the super-size HBO Max streaming package for 12 months. For $11.99 per month (versus the regular $14.99 rate), eligible subscribers get immediate access to HBO Now and then will be auto-upgraded to HBO Max on May 27. The pre-order offer is significant because, at least for a year, consumers can get HBO Max for less than Netflix’s standard HD plan, which costs $12.99 per month. In the battle of the streaming services, these deals to hook new users really matter in a market that may be looking for more affordable options in regards to streaming.

It should be noted that there are restrictions. The special HBO Max offer is available only to new subscribers and “returning eligible” HBO Now subscribers, through May 27 at 2:59 a.m. ET. HBO Max is also only going to initially be available to U.S. subscribers. WarnerMedia further notes in the fine print that “no free trials will be available during this offer period,” suggesting that in the next few weeks it’s going to disable HBO Now’s current 7-day free trial offer.

HBO Max promises 10,000 hours of premium programming to stream right away. The SVOD service will include all the programming from HBO; a slate of new originals; third-party licensed content like full seasons of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, South Park, Sesame Street, and Pretty Little Liars; all of the films from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli; and movies from Warner Bros., New Line, and DC. Also, if you already have HBO, HBO Max is rolled over into your package for no additional cost.

I have HBO so I'll be able to check this out at no extra cost but the 20% off pre-order offer is a pretty good deal to go all-in on the new service for a year, especially since it seems like it will be offering a lot of content worth checking out. Will YOU be looking into HBO Max? The new streaming service launches on May 27, 2020.