WarnerMedia announces a major subscription discount for HBO Max cutting the price in half for six months of the streaming platform. Development on the platform was first announced in late 2018 with plans to launch the following year, though due to multiple changes in leadership it wouldn't officially debut until May 2020. HBO Max initially became known as the home of titles previously on HBO Go and HBO Now as well as Cinemax and launched with some original titles, including the Anna Kendrick-starring Love Life.

Since its launch, the platform has boosted its library of original and syndicated content with everything from old seasons of Adult Swim shows including Rick and Morty to acquiring the majority of DC Universe's projects to continue on HBO Max, including Titans, Doom Patrol and Harley Quinn. Once the pandemic hit, WarnerMedia made the divisive decision to bring all of Warner Bros.' 2021 films to theaters and HBO Max simultaneously, much to the dismay of many filmmakers and theater purists. The move would ultimately pay off, however, as the platform grew to an estimate-breaking 67 million subscribers this past July and led to a majority of the simultaneous releases proving successes for the studio.

Following the platform's departure from Amazon Prime Video, WarnerMedia has announced that HBO Max is getting a major subscription discount. All new and returning customers can sign up for a full six-month subscription to HBO Max for just $7.50/month, a full 50 percent off its normal price of $15/month. The deal is currently available through September 26.


The decision to slash the subscription price of HBO Max is a wise decision on the part of WarnerMedia. Given Amazon Prime maintains an estimated 200 million subscribers to date, the removal of the platform as a channel would certain prove problematic for retaining customers, even with its roster of new and upcoming titles. Discounts are always a good way to bring in new and old customers, namely one as large as 50 percent off, and given the risks HBO Max is taking with its forthcoming projects it will need all the customers it can get.

The discount's time period of six months also lines up with Warner Bros.' plan to return to exclusive theatrical releases in 2022, further enticing audiences to stick around for the remaining same-day films or bring in those who hadn't previously considered signing up. Denis Villeneuve's Dune is the most notable of the group that WarnerMedia is looking to HBO Max to boost, with insiders of the studio reporting that its performance on the streamer will be just as key to the decision to greenlight a sequel as its box office performance, especially after seemingly bankable titles The Suicide Squad and Space Jam: A New Legacy underperformed. Only time will tell the effect the new discount brings to HBO Max's subscription numbers.