HBO Max Just Hiked Prices Despite Cutting Features
HBO Max is raising prices across every plan effective now, even as Warner Bros. Discovery recently axed the platform’s 24/7 CNN Max news feed after a two-year run.
HBO Max is getting more expensive across the board, and the timing is... a choice. The price hike hits every plan starting today, right after the service quietly yanked its 24/7 CNN Max live news feed that had been living inside the app for two years.
What you will pay now (effective Oct 21, 2025)
- HBO Max Basic With Ads - Monthly: was $9.99, now $10.99 (+$1) - Annual: was $99.99, now $109.99 (+$10)
- HBO Max Standard - Monthly: was $16.99, now $18.49 (+$1.50) - Annual: was $169.99, now $184.99 (+$15)
- HBO Max Premium - Monthly: was $20.99, now $22.99 (+$2) - Annual: was $209.99, now $229.99 (+$20)
Why the timing feels odd
The hike lands right after HBO Max removed the always-on CNN Max news feed, which had been a staple inside the app for two years. So, fewer features and higher prices, all at once. Not exactly the feel-good combo.
Quick refresher on the name shuffle
Remember the branding whiplash? Last July, Warner Bros. Discovery rolled the service back to its original name after two years of trying to make 'Max' happen. It is once again officially HBO Max.
Bottom line: every tier costs more starting today, from a $1 bump on Basic With Ads to a $2 jump on Premium monthly, with annual plans rising $10 to $20. And yes, that comes right after they pulled a 24/7 live news feature people had gotten used to.