Here is when the newest value hikes for HBO Max are set to kick in

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

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

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

HBO Max’s top-tier Premium plan is getting a $2 value improve, going from $21 monthly to $23, with its annual plan leaping to $230, a $20 hike.

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

This value hike comes as no shock

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

Whereas it is all the time unlucky to see a streaming service jack up its costs — one thing all too widespread these days — this specific value 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 suppose that provides us an opportunity to lift costs,” and that “We predict we’re manner underpriced.” On the time, it was unclear when a value hike would possibly occur, as Zaslav stated, “We will take our time.” It seems meaning 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 for the reason that final value improve. HBO Max now joins the lengthy record of streaming companies 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 obtained “unsolicited curiosity” from “a number of events” involved in 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 out there,” CEO David Zaslav stated in a press launch. “After receiving curiosity from a number of events, we’ve got initiated a complete evaluation of strategic options to determine the perfect path ahead to unlock the total worth of our belongings.”

It appears to me that Zaslav’s assertion is only a fancy manner of claiming the corporate is reviewing its price and is involved in listening to provides.

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 Might after it had been referred to as Max for 2 years.