This is when the most recent worth hikes for HBO Max are set to kick in

Only a few weeks after Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said that he believes HBO Max is ” way underpriced,” the corporate has introduced a right away worth hike for the streaming service.

As of October 21, HBO Max’s month-to-month worth has elevated by $1 to $2, relying in your plan (through Variety). The Fundamental plan with adverts now prices $11 per 30 days, a $1 hike; its annual plan has risen to $110, a $10 enhance.

Its mid-tier plan, Customary (ad-free), is getting a $1.50 enhance to $18.50 per 30 days, up from $17. The annual model can be rising to $185, a $15 enhance.

HBO Max’s top-tier Premium plan is getting a $2 worth enhance, going from $21 per 30 days to $23, with its annual plan leaping to $230, a $20 hike.

For brand new prospects, all of those worth will increase are already in impact, whereas current subscribers will see them beginning on their subsequent billing date on or after November 20. If you happen to’re subscribed to an annual plan, you will not see the value enhance till your plan is due for renewal, and you will be notified 30 days upfront.

This worth hike comes as no shock

HBO Max now joins different streamers which have elevated their costs this yr

Whereas it is at all times unlucky to see a streaming service jack up its costs — one thing all too widespread these days — this explicit worth hike appeared inevitable.

In September, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav stated that the company believes the standard of its content material, each TV and movement image, is so good that “all of us assume that offers us an opportunity to lift costs,” and that “We predict we’re method underpriced.” On the time, it was unclear when a worth hike may occur, as Zaslav stated, “We will take our time.” It seems which means just a bit over a month.

The final time HBO Max raised costs was in June of 2024, so it has been over a yr because the final worth enhance. HBO Max now joins the lengthy checklist of streaming providers which have already raised costs this yr, together with Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, and Apple TV.

Along with elevating its costs, Warner Bros. Discovery stated in a press release it had acquired “unsolicited curiosity” from “a number of events” fascinated about shopping for out the corporate. So, whereas it’s elevating costs itself, it appears the media and leisure large can be placing up a for-sale signal.

“It is no shock that the numerous worth of our portfolio is receiving elevated recognition by others available in the market,” CEO David Zaslav stated in a press launch. “After receiving curiosity from a number of events, we now have initiated a complete evaluate of strategic alternate options to determine the most effective path ahead to unlock the complete worth of our property.”

It appears to me that Zaslav’s assertion is only a fancy method of claiming the corporate is reviewing its value and is fascinated about listening to presents.

Earlier this yr, Warner Bros. Discovery introduced that the corporate would cut up into two separate firms by mid-2026: a Streaming & Studios firm (protecting movie and TV manufacturers) and a International Networks firm (protecting sports activities and TV information manufacturers). The corporate additionally reverted the name of HBO Max again to HBO Max in Could after it had been referred to as Max for 2 years.