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There are so many streaming services that I’ve had to reconsider which ones are actually worth a paid subscription. Max, formerly HBO Max, consistently tops my list for the best value of a streaming service for multiple reasons.
1Variety of Media
Screenshot by Marissa Zupancic — no attribution
First,Maxoffers tons of different movies and TV shows across a variety of different franchises. There’s something to watch for virtually everybody, even those with the most niche interests.
Max’s content covers anything from Food Network to Investigation Discovery to Adult Swim. There are plenty of documentaries, fantasy movies, popular limited series, and more. Max’s home screen offers different collections for when I have a specific genre in mind for what I’d like to watch. I love being able to watch an old cartoon and the latest documentary on one platform or even in one sitting. I tend to get bored and jump around what I’m watching quite a bit, so Max keeps me interested even when I don’t know what will keep my attention.
2Nostalgic Shows
One of my favorite features of a Max subscription is accessing nostalgic TV shows. I’m a huge Scooby-Doo fan, so I’ve been watching the original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! from the 1960s. Max has both seasons of this iconic show. There are also classics like Courage the Cowardly Dog, Adventure Time, and Regular Show.
If animated series aren’t your favorite, there are plenty of other nostalgic TV and movie choices. I recently decided to rewatch the original Gossip Girl from 2007. Max also has all the seasons of Friends, Doctor Who, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Classic movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy are also available. There’s no shortage of nostalgia with a Max subscription.
3HBO Exclusives
In addition to a vast catalog of media, Max also has every HBO exclusive show available to stream at any time. I can watch cultural phenomena like Game of Thrones, which is an HBO Original. New episodes of House of the Dragon, a Game of Thrones spinoff, are also available on Max as they air.
HBO originals span multiple categories across documentaries, comedies, stand-up specials, and dramas. I recently discovered True Detective: Night Country, an original HBO drama series about detectives in a small Alaskan town. One of my favorite documentaries, The Jinx, which details the life of Robert Durst, is also an HBO original.
The original content that HBO puts out on its own is enough for me to pay for a subscription.
4Multiple Subscription Options
Max offers three subscription tiers.
If you’re looking into other streaming services, too, here’s a rundown of thedifferences between Netflix and (HBO) Max.
At the time of writing, Max also offers live sports, including a limited-time subscription. B/R Sports, which will soon cost $9.99 per month, offers live coverage of various sporting events like college football, major league baseball, hockey, and endurance car racing. Again, there isn’t a robust catalog of events to watch at the time of writing, but it’s worth checking out if you’re a sports aficionado as that catalog will grow.
6Multiple Profiles and Screens
At the moment, Max is available across multiple devices simultaneously. This means that I can stream on the same account simultaneously as someone else in my family. There is not a household requirement, either. Netflix recently cracked down on password sharing, limiting access to an account only when present in a specified household. With Max, families that live in different households can use the same account.
Also, I love setting up my own profile. Currently, Max allows up to five profiles on one subscription to cover all the members in your family or friend group.
A Max streaming subscription truly has something for everyone. It has HBO Originals, nostalgic shows, current shows spanning genres, and a great catalog of old and new movies. All this content is available for a great price, making it a must-have streaming subscription for me.
