In a bold Black Friday move, HBO Max has announced a massive 70% discount on its ad-supported subscription plan, cutting the monthly rate from $10.99 to $2.99 for the first 12 months. The limited-time offer, which runs until December 1, comes as Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly explores a potential company sale, sparking speculation about the future of one of television’s most prestigious brands.
This marks the streamer’s first major promotional campaign since reverting to the HBO Max name earlier this month—after a brief and controversial stint under the simplified “Max” branding. The timing, experts say, signals an aggressive push to grow subscriber numbers ahead of what could be one of the entertainment industry’s most transformative mergers in years.
HBO Max’s Black Friday Deal: Details and Eligibility
HBO Max’s Black Friday promotion is one of the steepest discounts the platform has ever offered.
Category
Details
Promotion
70% off HBO Max Basic with Ads plan
Discounted Price
$2.99/month (down from $10.99)
Duration
12 months
Offer Valid Until
December 1, 2025
Eligible Users
New and returning subscribers
Available Platforms
HBOMax.com, Apple, Google Play, Roku, Samsung, Xumo, and Amazon Fire TV (new customers only)
The offer applies exclusively to the Basic with Ads tier, providing access to HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, and licensed content at a fraction of the usual cost. After the 12-month period, pricing automatically reverts to the regular $10.99 rate unless canceled.
“We’re celebrating the holidays with something special for fans—premium entertainment at our best-ever price,” HBO Max said in an official statement. “There’s never been a better time to start streaming with us.”
The Context: HBO Max’s Rebrand and Warner Bros. Sale Rumors
The promotion arrives during a period of unprecedented transition for Warner Bros. Discovery. Following months of strategic reevaluation, the company recently reversed its decision to drop the “HBO” name from its streaming platform, officially returning to HBO Max earlier this fall.
The rebrand aims to restore the service’s premium prestige identity, distinguishing it from competitors like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. However, behind the scenes, the parent company faces more dramatic developments.
Multiple outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and Variety, report that Warner Bros. Discovery is in early talks to sell parts—or all—of its media assets, with potential suitors rumoured to include Paramount Global and Netflix.
Warner Bros. Discovery at a Glance (2025)
Details
Current CEO
David Zaslav
Valuation (approx.)
$25–30 billion
Reported Buyers
Paramount, Netflix, Amazon
Strategic Goal
Split company between Warner Bros. and Discovery Global
Streaming Subscribers (Global)
98 million (as of Q3 2025)
“This sale would mark a major reshaping of the streaming landscape,” said Ellen Hughes, media analyst at LightShed Partners. “By slashing subscription prices during Black Friday, HBO Max may be attempting to boost user numbers before any acquisition talks move forward.”
New HBO Originals: Renewals and Fresh Announcements
Alongside its Black Friday promotion, HBO made several high-profile renewal announcements during a press event in New York City, signaling strong confidence in its original programming slate.
Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys confirmed the renewal of three series:
Rachel Sennott’s I Love LA — renewed for Season 2
Tim Robinson’s The Chair Company — renewed for Season 2
Mark Ruffalo’s crime drama Task — renewed for Season 2
“We’re thrilled by the incredible response to The Chair Company, and I Love LA,” said Amy Gravitt, EVP of HBO Programming. “Both shows confidently carry on HBO’s comedy tradition in their own singular ways.”
About the Renewed Comedies
I Love LA
Created by Rachel Sennott, I Love LA follows a group of friends chasing love, success, and identity in the modern entertainment industry.
Premise: A heartfelt yet chaotic look at ambition and friendship in Los Angeles.
The Chair Company
From Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave), The Chair Company blends workplace absurdity with conspiracy-laced humour.
Stars: Tim Robinson, Zach Woods, and guest appearances by Anna Konkle
Premise: A project manager becomes obsessed with uncovering a shadowy plot involving a furniture manufacturer known as “Tecca Chairs.”
Both shows will return in mid-2026 alongside Task, which continues Mark Ruffalo’s gritty exploration of organised crime and moral ambiguity.
What’s Included in the HBO Max Subscription?
Even at the discounted rate, HBO Max’s Basic with Ads plan offers a robust catalog of premium content spanning genres, studios, and decades.
Category
Titles Included
New Originals
IT: Welcome to Derry, The Seduction, Half Man, DTF St. Louis
Documentaries
Alex vs. ARod, One to One: John & Yoko, Thoughts & Prayers
Blockbuster Films
Titles from Warner Bros., DC Studios, and A24 post-theatrical run
Classic Series
Friends, The Sopranos, The Big Bang Theory, Succession
Upcoming 2026 Releases
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Season 2), Lanterns, Hacks (Season 4), Euphoria (Season 3), House of the Dragon (Season 3)
Subscribers also gain access to live HBO programming, curated film hubs, and early access to some theatrical releases via Warner Bros.’ hybrid release model.
Black Friday in Streaming: The Battle for Subscribers
HBO Max’s discount isn’t happening in isolation. Nearly every major streamer is offering deep promotions this Black Friday season to attract price-sensitive consumers amid subscription fatigue.
Streaming Platform
Black Friday Offer
Promotion Duration
HBO Max
$2.99/month for 12 months (Basic with Ads)
Until Dec. 1, 2025
Apple TV+
$5.99/month for 6 months (50% off)
Until Dec. 1, 2025
Hulu (Disney Bundle)
$0.99/month for 12 months
Until Dec. 2, 2025
Paramount+
67% off for three months
Until Nov. 30, 2025
With streaming competition fiercer than ever, such deals serve as both marketing hooks and subscriber retention tools. Analysts predict that the platform offering the deepest discounts this holiday season could gain a temporary edge in the ongoing “streaming wars.”
“We’re entering a new phase of streaming economics,” said Julian Cortez, senior analyst at ScreenRant Insights. “The next 12 months won’t be about content alone—it’ll be about who can price smarter.”
Conclusion
As Warner Bros. Discovery navigates potential sale negotiations, HBO Max’s deep Black Friday discount represents both a short-term growth strategy and a long-term statement: the platform isn’t retreating—it’s competing.
By combining a heritage of prestige storytelling with aggressive pricing and a powerhouse 2026 lineup, HBO Max aims to remind viewers—and potential buyers—why it remains one of the strongest brands in entertainment.
The next chapter for Warner Bros. Discovery may still be uncertain, but one thing’s clear: HBO Max intends to keep its crown, one discounted subscription at a time.
FAQs
How long does the HBO Max Black Friday offer last?
The promotion runs until December 1, 2025, and provides 12 months of discounted access.
Who is eligible for the discount?
The offer is valid for new and returning subscribers across eligible devices and platforms.
Which subscription tier is discounted?
The Basic with Ads plan—normally $10.99/month—is reduced to $2.99/month.
Can I upgrade later to an ad-free plan?
Yes. Subscribers can upgrade at any time, but the Black Friday pricing only applies to the ad-supported tier.
Will the deal renew automatically?
After the 12-month promotional period, the plan automatically renews at the regular $10.99/month rate.
