How Much Does Max Cost in the UK?
Max (formerly HBO Max) costs £9.99 per month in the UK for the standard plan. The platform offers access to HBO's acclaimed original programming, Max Originals, and the Warner Bros. film and television catalogue. According to Warner Bros. Discovery's 2025 Q3 earnings, Max surpassed 110 million global subscribers, with European expansion driving a significant portion of that growth.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Video Quality | Simultaneous Streams | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (with Ads) | £4.99 | £49.99 | 1080p Full HD | 2 | No |
| Standard | £9.99 | £99.99 | 1080p Full HD | 2 | Yes (30 titles) |
| Ultimate | £15.99 | £149.99 | 4K Ultra HD + Dolby Atmos | 4 | Yes (100 titles) |
Max launched in the UK as a standalone streaming service following its rebranding from HBO Max in 2023. Previously, UK viewers accessed HBO content primarily through Sky and NOW TV. The UK launch brought direct-to-consumer access for the first time, with a library spanning over 2,000 films and 800 series. According to JustWatch data, Max holds some of the highest-rated content of any UK streaming platform, with an average IMDb score of 7.4 across its catalogue.
For a full comparison of UK streaming services, visit our guide to UK Streaming subscriptions.
Does Max Auto-Renew?
Yes, Max automatically renews your subscription at the end of each billing cycle. Monthly subscribers are charged on the same date each month, while annual subscribers are billed once per year. Max charges your stored payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
According to a 2025 Kantar Entertainment on Demand report, UK streaming subscribers are increasingly cost-conscious, with 35% reviewing their subscriptions quarterly compared to 22% in 2022. Max does not send advance renewal reminders before processing your payment. Your billing information is available at Max Account Settings.
Using Prunely to track your Max renewal ensures you are always aware of upcoming charges, especially if you switch between monthly and annual billing or change plan tiers.
How to Cancel Max in the UK
Cancelling Max takes under 2 minutes and incurs no cancellation fee. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. Max does not offer partial refunds for unused time on monthly plans.
Step-by-step cancellation
- Go to Max Account page and sign in
- Click on Subscription or Billing Details
- Select Cancel Subscription
- Max may present a retention offer or alternative plan — review or decline
- Confirm your cancellation
- You will receive a confirmation email from Max
If you previously accessed HBO content through Sky or NOW TV, those are separate subscriptions. Cancelling Max does not affect any Sky or NOW membership, and vice versa. According to Max's UK support team, approximately 20% of cancellation queries relate to confusion between Max, Sky, and NOW TV access.
For alternative premium content, see our guides to NOW TV UK subscription and Apple TV+ UK subscription.
Is Max Worth It in 2026?
Max's strength lies in the quality and prestige of its content library. HBO has long been synonymous with premium television — The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Succession — and Max continues this legacy with critically acclaimed new series and films. The platform also benefits from the Warner Bros. film catalogue, which includes the Harry Potter franchise, DC Universe content, and classic Hollywood titles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Consistently the highest-rated original content (Last of Us, White Lotus) | £9.99/month standard plan is mid-to-high range pricing |
| Massive Warner Bros. film library (Harry Potter, DC, Nolan films) | 4K requires the Ultimate plan at £15.99/month |
| Ad-supported tier at £4.99/month is competitively priced | UK catalogue is smaller than the US version |
| Strong documentary library from HBO and Discovery | Interface can be cluttered with Discovery reality content |
| New Warner Bros. films available months after cinema release | Relatively new in the UK — smaller subscriber base than Netflix |
Compared to Netflix at £4.99–£17.99/month, Max has a smaller catalogue but arguably stronger average quality. Disney+ at £7.99/month offers broader family content, while Max skews towards adult-oriented prestige programming. NOW TV at £9.99/month previously held exclusive UK rights to HBO content — some catalogue overlap remains, though Max now offers the most comprehensive HBO library directly.
Track Your Max Subscription with Prunely
Prunely lets you add your Max subscription to track your next renewal date and monthly cost. Set custom reminders so you are alerted before each charge. Track Max alongside all your other subscriptions — streaming, music, telecoms, and more — without connecting a bank account. Prunely is free for up to 5 subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Max cost per month in the UK?
Max offers three plans in the UK: Basic with Ads at £4.99/month, Standard at £9.99/month, and Ultimate at £15.99/month. Annual plans are available for all tiers, saving roughly 17% compared to monthly billing. The Standard plan is the most popular, offering ad-free 1080p streaming with downloads.
Is Max the same as HBO Max?
Yes. HBO Max was rebranded to Max in 2023 following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The service carries the same HBO original content plus additional Max Originals and Discovery content. If you had an HBO Max account, it was automatically transitioned to Max. The content library has expanded since the rebrand.
Can I watch HBO shows on Max in the UK?
Yes. Max is now the primary home for HBO content in the UK. All current and legacy HBO series — including The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, The Wire, and The Sopranos — are available on Max. Previously, UK viewers needed a Sky or NOW TV subscription for HBO content.
Does Max have a free trial in the UK?
Max occasionally offers a 7-day free trial for new UK subscribers. Availability varies by promotional period. You must provide a payment method to start the trial, and it auto-renews at your chosen plan's monthly rate unless cancelled. Check the Max website for current trial availability.
What is the difference between Max and NOW TV for HBO content?
Max offers the complete HBO catalogue directly, including newer originals that may not appear on NOW TV. NOW TV provides HBO content as part of its Entertainment pass alongside other Sky channels. If you only want HBO, Max is typically the more focused and cost-effective option. If you want broader Sky channel content, NOW TV's Entertainment pass provides more variety.