HBO Max to get more expensive, new raised prices by the streamer revealed

HBO Max has increased its subscription rates once again, and regardless of the plan you are on, you will be paying slightly higher. The new prices became effective from today, October 21, 2025. The increase is not enormous, only an addition of $1 to $2 per month, but it will accumulate over time, particularly in families that have multiple subscriptions.

New subscribers will notice the increased prices immediately, while existing subscribers will be migrated to the new prices within the next few weeks, contingent on their payment cycles. This comes after the last price hike last year. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO Max, said that they feel the service can get away with charging a bit more due to the "quality" of its programming.

HBO Max’s new subscription rates

The increased prices for HBO Max’s subscription are: Basic with Ads is $10.99/month (a $1 increase) and $109.99/year (a $10 increase), Standard is $18.49/month (a $1.50 increase) and $184.99/year (a $15 increase), while Premium is $22.99/month (a $2 increase) and $229.99/year (a $20 increase).

These are the U.S. monthly and annual prices that new subscribers will start with immediately. Current subscribers will be affected by the increased rates from their next billing cycle, with most of them being impacted by November 21, 2025, depending on their billing date.

The rises are not massive, but the Standard plan is now pricier than the similar plans of some of its competitors. This indicates that HBO Max is willing to be perceived as a luxury service that is worth spending extra money on.

Why Warner Bros. Discovery raised prices

Warner Bros. Discovery executives have been hinting that perhaps it's time to boost streaming subscriptions by a few dollars. Their logic is straightforward: after several years of rock-bottom prices and a marketplace that's glutted, viewers are receiving more shows and movies for less money than ever. As such, they feel that the company can support increases in prices, particularly on high-end content from HBO originals and big-name shows. During an investor conference in September, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, stated:

“We want a good deal for consumers, but I think over time, there’s real opportunity, particularly for us in that quality area, to raise prices.”

From viewers' points of view, it's a question of value: will HBO Max continue to deliver popular shows, sports events, as well as new content of the same level of quality? If yes, some viewers can happily take a slight increase in prices. Others may see it as time to reassess subscriptions. As a whole, that's part of a larger phenomenon on the streaming landscape where companies are looking to stabilize subscription numbers, commercials, as well as revenues.

How to handle the HBO Max price changes

Here's a low-key way to deal with HBO Max's new pricing: first off, check your billing date. New subscribers are hit with the new pricing immediately, while existing subscribers should keep an eye on their statements since many changes will kick in by November 21, 2025. Then compare pricing: the Standard plan is now a few dollars pricier than Netflix's standard plan, so if you only binge a few shows, determine whether it's worth it.

Consider features as well: the Premium plan includes top-notch video quality as well as device access that's perfect for large families or film buffs. Also, investigate bundle pricing or special pricing with your internet service or cable carrier, since that can bring down your actual price tag. Lastly, if you're budgeting, consider holding off on your subscription for a month, downgrading to the lower ad-supported plan, or switching to other streaming services to keep up with your favorite shows without breaking the bank.

Trending

For more such insights, keep following Soap Central.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback