Cheaper HBO Max ad-supported tier could challenge Netflix, Disney Plus

Hbo Max
Hbo Max (Image credit: HBO)

What you need to know

  • HBO Max could charge $9.99 for its upcoming ad-supported tier.
  • The company has already announced that the cheaper tier will be available this June.
  • The price could undercut other streaming services like Netflix, which doesn't have an ad-supported tier.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has driven more people to streaming services. HBO Max launched at an opportune time to take advantage of this, bringing several theatrical movie releases to the platform. While not cheap at $14.99/month, it does offer more than one simultaneous stream and supports 4K HDR on many of the best streaming devices. WarnerMedia has already announced plans to launch its cheaper, ad-supported tier this June, and now we may have an idea of how much it'll cost.

According to a report from CNBC, WarnerMedia plans to charge just $9.99 for its ad-supported tier. That would challenge rival streaming services like Disney+ and Netflix, the latter of which has a basic plan for $8.99 that only offers one stream and no HD support. Netflix does have a $13.99 plan that offers two simultaneous HD streams, although as it stands, HBO Max already supports 4K and three simultaneous streams. If the service keeps these perks in its new ad-supported tier, it could seriously undercut Netflix.

Apparently, some TV distributors aren't too happy about the cheaper tier since they apparently receive a large share of the HBO subscription charge. According to CNBC, Comcast could take as much as $9 per $15 subscription. AT&T isn't too worried about it, and CEO John Stankey seems eager to embrace more customers with this more affordable subscription:

Whether a customer chooses to buy the ad-supported product or buy the straight subscription product, it's accretive in the same ways to our business.

With June just around the corner, it's only a matter of time before WarnerMedia announces the full details of its upcoming ad-supported tier for HBO Max. Is this something any of our readers would be interested in?

HBO Max Icon Play Store

HBO Max

HBO Max offers plenty of content to keep you occupied while you're stuck at home, including new movie releases like Zack Snyder's Justice League. And with up to three simultaneous 4K streams, you can bring your family and friends into the mix.

Derrek Lee
Managing Editor

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.

Read more
YouTube TV home page with TV screen in background
YouTube TV: Everything you need to know
LG OLED TV Netflix Originals.
Netflix achieves a record quarter, but it's raising prices — again
Disney Plus home page.
Disney Plus: How to sign up, 2025 content guide, movies & more
YouTube Premium homepage on Android
YouTube's affordable ad-free Premium Lite plan officially rolls out in the U.S.
YouTube Premium homepage
Google will finally uncouple YouTube Premium and YouTube Music with 'Premium Lite'
YouTube Premium Galaxy Z Fold 3.
YouTube Premium: Everything you need to know
Latest in Hbo
HBO Max logo with purple gradient
HBO Max free trial: Can you still get the 7-day trial?
Hbo Max Peacemaker
HBO Max prices reduced to $7.99: watch Peacemaker, Euphoria, and more online
Hbo Max Sign In Fire
HBO Max deal gives you 50% off for six months — here's how
Hbo Max
Does HBO Max support 4K?
Hbo Max Fire Tv
How to watch HBO Max on Fire TV devices
Hbo Max On Roku
Does Roku have HBO Max?
Latest in News
The promotional image for Google Workspace feature drops.
The March Workspace feature drop upgrades Gemini's note-taking and translation tools
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display
New leak shows off Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in 'Titanium' variants
YouTube Music home screen
YouTube Music's personalized radio stations are getting even smarter
The back of the Obsidian Google Pixel 9 Pro
Some Pixel owners had a delayed start, thanks to alarm clock failures
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Home Screen - 16x9
Heads up — Samsung's detailed One UI 7 rollout schedule for Galaxy appears
The old Android logo at Google's Pier 57 building in New York City
Report claims Google may move to 'privately' develop Android's future