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What Channel Is Hbo on Comcast Philadelphia

How Does HBO Max Compare to HBO Go and HBO Now?

Photo Courtesy: HBO/HBO Go

The world of television and entertainment is constantly in flux. HBO streams free episodes of some of its most popular shows online. You can watch an episode ofLovecraft Country, Insecure, and Mare of Easttown at your leisure. If you want to watch every episode of these shows, you'll have to pay. That's where HBO Max comes in.

HBO Max debuted on May 27th, 2020. It's the successor of HBO Now and HBO Go, offering an expansive library of TV shows, documentaries, and feature films. Several major motion pictures like Wonder Woman 1984 and Space Jam: A New Legacy were released on HBO Max at the same time that they debuted in traditional movie theatres. Yes indeed, HBO Max seems like it's here to stay. How does this streaming service compare to its predecessors? Is HBO Max worth getting? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of this buzzworthy streamer.

What Are the Key Differences Between HBO Max, HBO Go and HBO Now?

Like Disney+, NBC's Peacock, and Apple TV+, HBO Max is bolstered by a sprawling catalog of beloved shows and movies as well as star-studded original series. But the service, which has AT&T's WarnerMedia behind it, also owns some of the most expensive TV rights in history. HBO Max is the exclusive home for streaming hits like Friends and The Big Bang Theory. In terms of movies, it boasts a slew of much-loved DC Comics-based films, like Wonder Woman (2017) and Joker (2019), along with time-honored classics like The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) and The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Photo Courtesy: HBO/IMDb

All of that highly sought-after content comes with two price tags; the ad-free version of HBO Max costs $14.99 a month. Conversely, the ad-supported version of this streaming service costs $9.99. If you already have an HBO subscription, you might get Max content for free. Some subscribers who have bundled HBO with YouTube TV (or other comparable services) may also be eligible for this deal. Long story short, there are quite a few nuances to HBO Max. Let's break it down:

HBO Max (Ad-Free): This direct-to-consumer streaming service lets HBO cut out the middleman. HBO Max's ad-free version costs $14.99 a month and offers the following goods:

  • Access to Warner Bros. films the same day they release in theatres throughout 2021.
  • All of HBO's original shows (Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies), tons of movies, beloved non-HBO shows (Friends, Sesame Street, Looney Tunes), and shows from Cartoon Network and the CW.
  • Parental controls
  • Streaming profiles for up to 5 users
  • Offline viewing
  • 4K UHD video quality for select films.

HBO Max (Ad-Supported): A less costly alternative that still has a lot to offer. For $9.99 a month, subscribers still have 5 profiles at their disposal, as well as parental controls and thousands of hours of content. However, Ad-Supported viewers:

  • DO NOT have same-day access to Warner Bros. films in 2021
  • DO NOT have the option to watch films at 4K UHD
  • CANNOT download content to watch offline

HBO Go was dissolved in June 2020 while HBO Now was dissolved in December that same year. At launch, HBO Max hosted over 10,000 hours of content thanks to HBO's backlog and exclusive partnerships with Cartoon Network, CNN, DC Comics, TNT, Crunchyroll, and others. Warner Media aims to draw in as many viewers as possible by offering something for everyone.

From the Golden Age of (Cable) TV to the Golden Age of Streaming

Thanks to hits like The Sopranos, The Wire and Sex and the City, HBO is known for ushering in the golden age of television — in fact, the network is synonymous with peak TV. Even HBO's more recent original offerings continue to reel in accolades and set the bar incredibly high.

Photo Courtesy: HBO/IMDb

The Leftovers, a post-apocalyptic slow-burn drama that was co-created by Lost's Damon Lindelof, has been hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time; Game of Thrones gave HBO a juggernaut on par with Harry Potter or Star Wars; the Reese Witherspoon- and Nicole Kidman-produced Big Little Lies helped usher in a wave of woman-led and -produced prestige dramas (think The Handmaid's Tale or Little Fires Everywhere); and Watchmen, which starred Regina King and benefited from Lindelof's touch, has literally helped rewrite textbooks. Needless to say, HBO hasn't just remained relevant — HBO has shaped and reshaped great TV.

It's no wonder then that the TV giant would take more serious steps to create a direct-to-consumer streaming service that can hold its own not just with Netflix and Hulu — services with some original content and a lot of licensing agreements — but with Disney+ and NBC's Peacock, more niche services that gobble up brands, fandoms, and franchises. Take Disney, for example. The company's streaming service offers up animated content, like The Lion King (1994), and live-action Disney films, like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). But it also offers up everything Pixar and Star Wars (and Lucasfilm) as well as The Simpsons (and a bunch of 20th Century Fox films!), the Muppets movies, and National Geographic docs.

Original Shows and Movies You Can Only Find on HBO Max

While HBO Max certainly follows Netflix's model to a degree, it's definitely taking Disney+'s mindset into account too. Here's a taste of the original content the platform offers:

Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros./IMDb

  • Love Life: An anthology show that stars Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick.
  • Craftopia: A — surprise, surprise — crafting show.
  • On the Record: A documentary about the allegations of sexual abuse and harassment that were raised against hip hop mogul Russell Simmons. (Notably, Oprah withdrew from the project.)
  • The Not Too Late Show: Elmo ditches Sesame Street and takes up talk-show host duties.
  • The Looney Tunes Cartoons: New Bugs Bunny — and all the classic shorts too.
  • Legendary: A competition show based on ballroom culture that has already drawn some (deserved) flack.
  • Several DC Comics Adaptations, so far: 1) A Green Lantern live-action series from the Arrowverse's Greg Berlanti, 2) Strange Adventures , also Berlanti, which "will explore close-ended morality tales about the intersecting lives of mortals and superhumans," 3, 4, 5) A three-part animated show called Aquaman: King of Atlantis , 6) DMZ , a show about a modern-day American civil war from esteemed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, 7) DC Superhero High , which envisions comic book characters in high school, adapted by the ever-funny Elizabeth Banks, and 8) A J.J. Abrams-helmed adaptation of Justice League Dark .
  • Overlook: An Abrams series about the infamous hotel from Stephen King's The Shining.
  • Dusters: Another Abrams offering, but this one is set in the 1970s — not against the backdrop of a beloved fandom or franchise.

Original Shows and Movies You Can Only Find on HBO Max, Continued

But that's not all. Unlike competitors Disney+ and Apple TV+, HBO Max isn't just tossing out a handful of star-studded originals. Here are a few more of HBO Max's biggest draws:

Photo Courtesy: HBO/IMDb

  • House of Dragon: A Game of Thrones prequel series.
  • Tokyo Vice: Ansel Elgort stars in a show about American journalist Jake Adelstein's life as a police reporter in Japan.
  • Dune: The Sisterhood: A spin-off of the upcoming Dune film, also directed by Denis Villeneuve. (Well, the pilot will be, at least.)
  • Raised by Wolves: Ridley Scott produced this series about two androids raising a kid.
  • Gremlins: An animated series based on the '80s cult classic movie of the same name.
  • College Girls: Mindy Kaling does teen drama.
  • Rap Sh*t: A Miami-based all-women rap group strives for fame.
  • Search Party: TNT's overlooked drama moves to HBO for its junior and senior seasons.
  • Station Eleven: Post-apocalyptic drama series based on Emily St. John Mandel's best-selling novel of the same name.
  • Made for Love: An adaptation of Alissa Nutting's novel of the same name.
  • Generation: A Lena Dunham-produced show.
  • (At Least) Three Original Movies: 1) Superintelligence , starring Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy, 2) legal comedy Bobbie Sue and 3) Steven Soderbergh's Let Them All Talk .
  • Gossip Girl: Kristen Bell is back to voice the titular character in this reboot. XOXO.

All of the Big-Name Properties Available on HBO Max

If all of that new, original content isn't enough, WarnerMedia has also made sure to snag a bunch of great streaming deals. Big-name properties offered on HBO Max include: Friends (plus Friends: The Reunion), The OC, The Big Bang Theory, Adventure Time (and a whole lot of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim content), Rick and Morty, South Park, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Office, Luther and Doctor Who (series 1-11).

Photo Courtesy: Studio Ghibli/IMDb

Additionally, pre-existing DC Universe shows, like Harley Quinn, Doom Patrol, and Titans are also available on Max. And, if that animated content excites you, this news might as well: A selection of anime offerings, curated by Crunchyroll, will rotate quarterly on the WarnerMedia-backed platform.

And, you know, all of those HBO originals you've known and loved for almost three decades. Plus, anything WarnerMedia owns will eventually end up on HBO Max. The CW's newer showsKaty Keene and Batwoman, were available from the jump, while older shows, like Riverdale and Supergirl, will show up once pre-existing licensing agreements run out.

As far as big-name movies go, HBO Max offers a few key franchises, including: the Matrix trilogy, The Conjuring movies (and all those spin-offs), The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The LEGO movies, Gremlins movies, Joker, The Wizard of Oz (and other MGM classics), every Batman and Superman movie from the last four decades and Studio Ghibli's complete library. The magic does end there: After Universal's exclusive streaming rights to the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films expire in 2025, HBO Max hopes to be the new home of the Warner Bros. property.

Other Need-to-Know Basics About HBO Max

If that's not enough information to satisfy your HBO Max curiosity, we do have a few more nuggets to share. First of all, you stream HBO Max on up to three devices concurrently. Second, the platform presents content in brand-based "hubs," a la Disney+. Third, the landing page features picks from notable HBO-aligned stars. Ever wonder what Barry star Bill Hader's vibing with on HBO? Wonder no longer.

Photo Courtesy: HBO/IMDb

With tech and entertainment giants launching their own streaming platforms and subscription-based services, it's not surprising that a monolith like HBO got in on the action. Nonetheless, we've seen everyone from Disney to Apple to Quibi try and get a piece of Netflix's 209 million worldwide subscribers. "In the game of thrones, you win or you die." In the game of streaming services, there may be some middle ground.

The Great Streaming Wars (patent pending) already has a few casualties (Quibi, we hardly knew ye). However, despite a higher price-point, HBO Max manages to hold its own.

What Channel Is Hbo on Comcast Philadelphia

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