According to WIRED's October 2026 promo-code roundup, HBO Max is pushing price-sensitive sign-ups through targeted discounts rather than blanket price cuts. The most aggressive offer is a student plan that halves the cost of the ad-supported Basic tier to $5 a month, giving students access on up to two devices.
WIRED also highlights a "Magic Bundle" that combines HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for $17 a month with ads, which it says is about 35% off the original price. An ad-free version of the same bundle costs $30 a month, and WIRED notes that still saves almost $19 a month compared with standard pricing.
Outside promotions, HBO Max's regular pricing remains tiered: $10 for Basic with Ads, $17 for Standard with downloads, and $21 for Premium with 4K, Dolby Atmos, and 100 downloads. The article frames these deals as a response to "sometimes-pricey" subscription plans, and pairs them with upcoming originals and returning shows to make the discounted entry points more appealing.