HBO Max $9.99 ad-supported tier coming in June — is it a good deal?

HBO Max
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The rumored HBO Max ad-supported tier is coming in June 2021, and in exchange for that discount, you're going to get some ads, and a little less content. But is it a good enough deal for you to buy in now?

Announced at the end of the WarnerMedia Upfront event, this new package will add what Warner calls the "lightest ad-load in the industry." But on top of that, there will be ads when you pause programming. Yep, Pause Ads are now a thing. Which sounds ... not great.

HBO Max's ad-supported tier pricing

HBO Max with ads costs $9.99 per month, a discount from the $14.99 per month normal HBO Max package. That's $2 more than Disney Plus (which has no ads) and costs $7.99 per month.

That said, HBO Max has a more diverse library than Disney, giving subscribers stuff for kids and their parents, too — and not just focused on family-friendly content.

HBO Max's ad-supported tier content

You won't get everything from HBO Max, though, if you subscribe. Those big-name films such as The Suicide Squad and Space Jam 2, debuting the same day on HBO Max as in theaters, are exclusive to the $14.99 per month tier. 

To quote the announcement from HBO Max, "Subscribers to the ad supported tier of HBO Max will have access to the full HBO Max content catalog, excluding Warner Bros. Same-Day Premiere films debuting in theaters and on HBO Max throughout 2021."

That means you'll get the new Gossip Girl show, The Flight Attendant season 2, the new Harry Potter TV show and much more.

HBO Max's ad-supported tier outlook

Honestly, the HBO Max vault is great, but the service is making its name with movies such as Godzilla vs Kong, Judas and The Black Messiah and the upcoming In the Heights and Dune movie.

We could see someone down-grading to the $9.99 tier if no big movies they're excited about are coming out, though. But anyone who hasn't subscribed to HBO Max already will probably be disappointed to learn that this new tier won't include some of the biggest reasons to get an HBO Max account.

TOPICS
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Read more
Max on a TV screen with a bowl of popcorn
Max just gave customers a massive free upgrade — here's what's coming
Max logo on a television set
How to get Max for free — here are 4 ways
Computer with logo: Netflix , HBO MAX, APPLE TV PLUS, NETFLIX, PRIME VIDEO are online video streaming services
What streaming costs in 2025: The price of Netflix, Disney Plus, Max and more
Max and Starz bundle
Prime Video just added Max and Starz streaming bundle — what it costs and how to get it
Hulu / Disney Plus streaming bundle deal
Disney Plus and Hulu bundle deal is too good to miss — get both for just $2.99 a month now
Netflix, HBO, Prime logos on tablet
3 best streaming service bundles that are actually worth it — save up to $29 with these discounted prices now
Latest in HBO Max
Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed in "Heretic"
Max top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Hugh Grant in "Heretic"
Hugh Grant’s terrifying villain turn just landed on Max — and it’s got 91% on Rotten Tomatoes
"The Righteous Gemstones" s4: (Clockwise from top) Eli Gemstone (played by John Goodman), Kelvin Gemstone (Adam DeVine), Jesse Gemstone (Danny McBride) and Judy Gemstone (Edi Patterson)
How to watch 'The Righteous Gemstones' season 4 online right now: HBO, Max release date, time
Civil guard sergeant Lucía Gutiérrez (Maribel Verdú) and U.S. special agent Magaly Castillo (Mariela Garriga) arrive in the village of Morón de la Frontera to investigate a suicide and a disappearance in "When Nobody Sees Us"
'When Nobody Sees Us': how to watch the Spanish crime thriller series online from anywhere in the world
Max on a TV screen with a bowl of popcorn
Max just gave customers a massive free upgrade — here's what's coming
Max on a TV screen with a bowl of popcorn
New on HBO and Max in March 2025 — all the new shows and movies to watch
Latest in News
Gmail logo on iPhone
Gmail just got a huge AI upgrade that will save you a ton of time
Xbox handheld
Xbox handheld reportedly arriving this year, new PC-like console in 2027
Concept image of foldable iPad
Apple reportedly has an 18.8-inch foldable iPad prototype with under-display Face ID
Adam Scott in "Severance," now streaming on Apple TV Plus.
'Severance' season 2 finale runtime just revealed — expect a violent finale
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses next to AirPods Pro 2
New report says Apple is working on Meta-style smart glasses and AirPods with cameras
A smartphone screen displaying the Android name and logo next to a sign reading 'MALWARE'.
Fake Google Play Store pages are spreading Trojan malware that can steal your financial data