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How to Get HBO 2022
Find out which providers have HBO and how you can get HBO on the cheap
Which providers allow you to add HBO as an add-on subscription?
Most TV providers offer HBO Max as an add-on, and most times, this also comes with the HBO channels. Besides getting an HBO subscription through the HBO app, an add-on subscription is the way to watch The Outsider because you'll have everything on one service.
So, the first step is finding the best service for you. Some services include the HBO channels in specific packages. Some will give you HBO Max for free for three months. But don't forget to look at the monthly price for the TV service itself.
Side note: If you’re unsure of what HBO Max is, check out our full review with all the deets.
Which provider offers HBO at the best price?
Every TV provider charges around $15 for HBO Max, but there are a few that either give you a temporary free subscription to HBO Max or include HBO and HBO Max in your channel lineup
As a new customer, DIRECTV gives you HBO Max free for three months with ENTERTAINMENT ($65/mo.), CHOICE ($70/mo.), and ULTIMATE ($90/mo.). And if you get the PREMIER package, you get the HBO channels included in your lineup.
But we don’t recommend the $140/month package unless you want more than 330 channels, which is one of the highest channel counts you’ll find in the TV industry. Check out our full review on DIRECTV for more info on the dreaded second-year price hikes.
DIRECTV STREAM, basically DIRECTV as a streaming service, gives you the same HBO Max deals, but the prices of the plans are a little more expensive without the price hikes in year two.
Get HBO Max free for three months with CHOICE ($75/mo.) and ULTIMATE ($90/mo.), or upgrade to PREMIER ($135/mo.) to get HBO channels and HBO Max included in your service.
Spectrum TV includes HBO channels and HBO Max in your lineup when you order TV Silver or TV Gold with any internet plan (200–Gig Mbps). You'll also get access to SHOWTIME and STARZ!
Check out our detailed Spectrum TV review to learn more about the packages and if it's available in your area.
Optimum TV gives you three free months of HBO Max when you order one of their internet plans (so why not bundle TV and internet?). If you don't need internet, order Optimum's Premier plan ($115/mo.) for HBO Max and HBO channels.
Our Optimum TV review goes over channels, fees, and DVR.
With Cox TV, you'll get HBO Max and HBO channels when you order either the Preferred Plus ($118/mo.) or Ultimate ($138/mo.) plan. Check out our Cox TV Review to find out if this is the personalized service is for you.
As for the average-priced HBO package, these services offer your favorite premium channel:
- YouTube TV gives you a free 7-day trial of HBO and HBO Max, and it’s our second favorite live TV streaming service.
- Hulu + Live TV is a close third to YouTube TV for the best live TV streaming service on the market.
- Xfinity TV doesn't have HBO channels or include HBO Max into its packages (boooo!). At least it's offered as an add-on.
And lastly, DISH, Sling TV, and fuboTV don’t have HBO. So if you really need HBO (which you probably do, because why would you be reading this right now?), don’t bother with these three services.
How can I watch HBO for free?
Guess what? There's a way to get HBO Max for free for life. Now you’re interested, huh?
If you’re looking for a new cell phone provider, might we suggest AT&T? AT&T’s Unlimited Premium plan will not only give you unlimited talk, text, and data, but it will also give you—you guessed it—free HBO Max.
AT&T includes HBO Max with this plan, as long as you have this plan. So you can stream all you want. Well, until you hit 100 GB. AT&T warns your data speeds can slow down if you’ve reached 100 GB of data for the month if the network is busy.
But hey, everyone needs a cell phone plan, right? Why not get free HBO with it?
What’s the cheapest way to get HBO Max?
When HBO Max first launched, we found many TV providers offering the service at no cost for three months or up to a year. Now, the most inexpensive way to get HBO Max is to order directly from the streaming app.
- HBO Max: Pay $10 per month for ads or upgrade for $5 more for no interruptions.
- Hulu: Order Hulu's cheapest plan and HBO Max for a total of $22/mo.
- DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM: You get HBO Max for free for three months.
Recap: What’s the best way to get HBO?
There are so many ways to answer this question.
If you want HBO Max for free for life, get an AT&T’s Unlimited Premium mobile plan (because who doesn't need a mobile plan anyways?).
Or if you’re already considering a specific cable TV or satellite service, then that makes the choice easier.
- DIRECTV: Get HBO Max for free for three months with ENTERTAINMENT ($65/mo.), CHOICE ($70/mo.), or ULTIMATE ($90/mo.), or get HBO Max and HBO channels included in your service with PREMIER ($140/mo.)
- DIRECTV STREAM: Same as DIRECTV, stream HBO Max with CHOICE ($75/mo.) or ULTIMATE ($90/mo.), or get HBO Max and HBO channels included in your service with PREMIER ($135/mo.).
- Spectrum TV: You can get HBO and HBO Max included in your channel lineup when you order either TV Silver or TV Gold with any internet plan (200 Mbps–Gig) to reap the HBO goodness.
- Optimum TV: Enjoy HBO Max for free for three months when you order an internet plan, or order Optimum TV's Premier plan ($115/mo.) for the HBO service.
- Cox TV: This cable TV provider gives you HBO Max and HBO channels when you order the Preferred Plus ($118/mo.) or Ultimate ($138/mo.) plan.
If you want a live TV streaming service that offers HBO Max, we suggest subscribing to YouTube TV as it is our number one pick.
If you’re on a budget and don’t care for live TV channels, Hulu, the on-demand service, will be your best option.
FAQs
How much does HBO Max cost per month?
HBO Max has two plans to choose from:
- HBO Max (with ads): $9.99/mo.
- HBO Max (ad-free): $14.99/mo.
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