AT&T has made a significant change by discontinuing the inclusion of HBO Max in its top unlimited plan. This decision means that the carrier no longer offers a video streaming service as part of any of its wireless plans. However, existing customers who already have HBO Max included can still enjoy the service.

Verizon, on the other hand, has announced that HBO Max will be a partner in its upcoming Plus Play program, which is set to launch later this year. This move could potentially lead to competitive deals for HBO coming from one of AT&T’s wireless rivals.

If you were considering switching to AT&T or upgrading your plan to access HBO Max, it’s essential to note the recent changes. The telecom giant has quietly replaced the Unlimited Elite option with a new Unlimited Premium offering in its top unlimited wireless plan. While the pricing remains the same, at $85 per month for a single line or $50 per month per line for a family plan with four lines, there are a couple of key differences. The new Unlimited Premium now includes 50GB per month of high-speed hotspot data (up from 40GB per month on Elite) and no longer features HBO Max as part of the package.

An AT&T spokesperson, Jim Greer, emphasized the company’s commitment to offering customers the best value, which includes continuously evaluating the features provided. Existing Unlimited Elite plan subscribers will retain their complimentary HBO Max access.

Meanwhile, Cricket Wireless, AT&T’s prepaid carrier, still offers HBO Max’s ad-supported tier as part of its highest-priced unlimited plan. The decision to remove Unlimited Elite and its bundled HBO Max subscription follows the recently finalized Warner Bros. Discovery megamerger, a $43 billion deal that led AT&T to exit the media business and merge its WarnerMedia assets with Discovery.

With this update, AT&T no longer has a video streaming partner for its primary wireless service. Notably, the carrier has previously included HBO or HBO Max in select unlimited plans since 2017, a strategy also utilized by competitors like T-Mobile and Verizon to attract and retain customers through bundled streaming offerings.

T-Mobile has a history of offering complimentary Netflix subscriptions with certain plans and now includes a free year of Paramount Plus Essentials and Apple TV Plus with specific packages. Similarly, Verizon has promoted the Disney Bundle (comprising Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu) with its higher-priced unlimited plans and had previously provided a free year of Discovery Plus. The introduction of the Plus Play content management platform by Verizon signals a strategic shift towards enhancing its service offerings, with HBO Max confirmed as a partner in the upcoming launch, promising exclusive deals for subscribers.

In conclusion, the evolving landscape of wireless carriers and streaming services showcases a competitive market where providers continually adapt to meet consumer demands and differentiate their offerings. Subscribers are encouraged to stay informed about the latest changes and offerings to make informed decisions based on their preferences and needs. For the latest streaming service deals and updates, stay tuned for exclusive offers and promotions on our website.