What’s the Cheapest Way to Go for HBO?

Is there a cheaper way to get HBO?

The cheapest way to get HBO is through Max, the service that combines Discovery+ with the service previously called HBO Max. Its ad-supported plan starts at just $9.99 per month, or you could save 16% by paying $99.99 for the whole year.

Cheapest HBO

• Max ($9.99/mo.—$19.99/mo.)—cheapest HBO on demand
• Spectrum ($15.00/mo.)—cheapest HBO add-on

For most folks, we recommend HBO’s streaming service Max because it’s relatively cheap, has a month-to-month contract, and features more than just HBO Originals. The cheapest option is reliant on ads, which is disappointing if you’re used to the normally ad-free HBO experience, but is maybe worth it if your streaming TV bills are getting too high.

If you prefer to keep things simple with a single cable plan and live TV channels, you’d be okay bundling with Optimum, Spectrum, DIRECTV, DISH, or Xfinity. Luckily, you’ll still be able to log into Max with your cable credentials.

But we get it: the devil is in the details. Keep reading for the best ways to get HBO without breaking the bank.

Jump to:

• Get HBO on demand with Max
• Get HBO with your TV provider
• Cheap HBO FAQ

To see if any of these offers are available in your area, enter your zip code below.

Cheap HBO with cable

Nearly every cable TV provider allows customers to add on HBO to existing packages. However, the only advantage of doing so is dealing with fewer monthly bills⁠—most add-ons cost $16 or more, which makes an annual (ad-supported or ad-free) Max subscription the cheaper option.

Some providers offer short-term promotional pricing or a free trial to sweeten the deal. Others will include the price of HBO with upper-tier packages.

For a lot of folks, adding on HBO to your existing package is the easiest way to get it. It’s simple to add it on to a package, you don’t have to worry about a separate bill, and you’ll have access to live HBO channels.

Here’s the breakdown of each provider with prices and the packages we recommend to get the most bang for your buck.

• HBO promo price: Free Max for 2 mos., 3 mos. for new customers
• HBO regular price: $14.99/mo.

Free Max with DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV satellite

DIRECTV isn’t a bad way to go for HBO. The biggest TV package, Premier ($159.99/mo.) includes Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, and Cinemax® in the price. That’s along with 150+ cable channels. Also, new customers ordering most packages get three months of each of those services for free.

When adding just Max to an existing plan, you get two months of Max free. Although, if you’re keeping score, that’s the same discount you’d get if you subscribed to Max through annual billing.

Just watch out for when the billing kicks in after the second month. AT&T and DIRECTV love doing that. DIRECTV’s website currently lists the “prevailing rate” at $14.99/mo., but it’s unclear whether this is actually a discount or simply an outdated number.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $16.00/mo.

HBO with Cox Cable

We’re unimpressed with Cox’s HBO bundle. It doesn’t offer any discounts, but at least you’ll get access to live HBO channels on TV.

In general, we’re fans of Cox internet plans, which are pretty good for the price. If you have Cox or want to switch, we suggest bundling internet and TV and then adding on your HBO.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $16.00/mo.

HBO with DISH

DISH’s HBO add-on is $16 per month, which is about the same as its competitors. You’d save more money in the long run by subscribing annually through Max.

But if you’re looking to combine some of your monthly bills together, you could do worse than adding HBO to your DISH plan.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $18.95/mo.

HBO with Mediacom

Unfortunately, Mediacom doesn’t offer any HBO promos, and its HBO add-on is pricier than other cable providers.

That’s why we recommend just getting Max as a standalone service if you’re a Mediacom customer.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $15.99/mo.

HBO with Optimum

Optimum does not currently offer any special HBO deals, although some Suddenlink customers were given a full year of free HBO Max when the company merged. For everyone else, Optimum’s HBO add-on costs $15.99 per month. Or you could get HBO bundled into the Premier TV plan, which includes STARZ and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, for $115.00 per month.

If you want live HBO through Optimum, you won’t be overcharged. But you could always just subscribe to Max for a better yearly deal if you’re cool with streaming on demand.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $15.95/mo.

HBO with Astound Broadband

Internet and TV from Astound Broadband are the cheapest around, but you don’t find any HBO discounts here.

Again, if you’re down with on-demand HBO, we say just sign up for Max instead of adding regular HBO to your Astound Broadband cable plan.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $15.00/mo.

HBO with Spectrum

Spectrum’s Select TV package comes with over 125 channels, and you can add HBO (and HBO Max) to your plan for $15 per month. That’s a dollar cheaper than the streaming service (assuming Spectrum’s website is up-to-date), but you might as well just subscribe through Max annually unless you have your heart set on bundling it with cable.

• HBO promo price: None
• HBO regular price: $15.99/mo.

Included HBO with Xfinity

Like most cable and streaming services, Xfinity doesn’t offer a discount on HBO. But you can get HBO included with some TV packages.

Again, unless you’re a diehard HBO fan that loves watching live premieres, we recommend just going with Max on demand.

Get cheap HBO that’s right for you

Getting HBO in your life doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think it’ll be. Overall, we recommend signing up for an annual Max subscription, although you can bundle HBO with cable if you don’t mind paying a little more.

You don’t have to keep missing out on the hottest shows on TV. Enter your zip code below to find TV providers available in your area that offer the cheapest HBO packages.

Cheap HBO FAQ

Methodology

Our money-saving experts have scoured the web to bring you the best deals to save you money on TV and streaming services. For more on our research process, head over to How We Rank.