HBO Max: Entertainment to the MAX

By Ava Aschettino

Yet another streaming service was unveiled to the world as HBO Max, AT&T’s newest addition, was launched on May 27, 2020. Charging $14.99 a month, some potential subscribers are unsatisfied with the hefty fee, especially in this foggy economic climate. However, will fifteen dollars each month be what stands in the way of reuniting the world with the Friends series? Here’s what you need to know:

In HBO Max’s ambitious attempt to tackle competition like Netflix and Disney Plus, the content provider does, in fact, put up a fight. In its strides to become a true competitor, AT&T purchased Time Warner for a whopping $85.4 billion. By purchasing Time Warner, AT&T also acquired HBO, TBS, TNT, CNN and the Warner Bros. film and television studios. The content of these many platforms is available on HBO Max, which provides more than 2,000 titles with 10,000 plus hours of media to binge. 

HBO Max offers some intriguing options, which can make that $15 price tag seem worthwhile. Television options include “Friends,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Game of Thrones,” “Big Little Lies,” and “Euphoria.” Some impressive film titles the platform can boast about include Batman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy Rich Asians, Hairspray, the Harry Potter franchise, Jaws, The Joker, La La Land, The Wizard of Oz, and Wonderwoman. Additionally, HBO Max has its own original series including “Love Life,” starring Anna Kendrick, and “Let Them All Talk,” starring Meryl Streep.

Now doesn’t HBO Max sound great? It offers a wide array of content suitable for audiences of all ages. In fact, those who already subscribe to HBO have access to HBO Max as a free upgrade! Then what's the problem? For those who do not already pay for HBO, that $14.99 monthly payment may be a deterrent. Again, with many different streaming services offering a myriad of titles, is paying for another one worth it? It is.

HBO Max offers titles from such a wide variety of genres, that anyone of any age and demographic can enjoy what the platform offers. According to Business Insider, renting a movie costs between $2.99-$7.99, but for $14.99 a month, HBO Max pays for over 1,300 movie nights. From musicals, to comedies, to dramas, HBO Max offers it all. Plus, the streaming service includes “Friends!” Need I say more?