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HBO Max Introduces More Affordable Subscription with Advertisements
Transitioning from cable TV to streaming led many to believe that bothersome, intrusive advertisements would decrease. However, they persist and remain as frustrating as ever. Recently, while viewing YouTube on my Roku, I encountered a 22-minute lengthy ad for a trivial reality show. Fortunately, I could skip it, but the audacity to even air such lengthy ads is remarkable. Most major streaming platforms do not incorporate ads, financing themselves through subscription fees. Nevertheless, if you are among those who are unbothered by commercial interruptions, HBO Max has an appealing offering for you.
Yesterday, HBO Max unveiled a new subscription option among its services. A regular HBO Max subscription is priced at $14.99 monthly, whereas this new tier is available for just $9.99 per month. A $5 discount may seem enticing, but there are several caveats. Chief among them is that while watching shows and movies, you will experience standard ad breaks. As per the HBO Max website, you should expect no more than four minutes of advertising per hour of content watched, which is reasonable. However, the frequency of these breaks is unspecified.
This is the historical insight I never knew I needed. ?
Watch the complete story on Friends: The Reunion, now streaming on HBO Max. #FriendsReunion pic.twitter.com/E8iZh9LVbI
— HBO Max (@hbomax) May 27, 2021
Furthermore, opting for the lower tier restricts access to watching blockbuster movies that are concurrently streamed with their theatrical releases. While you retain access to the entire remaining selection of films and TV shows, this particular perk is exclusively reserved for standard subscribers. Additionally, you are unable to download any content for offline viewing, and streaming is limited to regular HD resolution, unlike full subscribers who enjoy up to 4K quality.
It may be disappointing to forego certain features, but if finances are tight and you still wish to enjoy HBO Max content, this is a viable alternative. Let’s hope you won’t have to endure frequent ten-second ad interruptions every few minutes, though.
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