HBO Max is active on Roku as was reported yesterday. The HBO Max channel can be found in Streaming Channels. It costs 14.99 per month for the service if you sign up for it via the app. Users who already have HBO through a TV provider also have access to HBO Max.
Two ways to sign in
HBO MAx will let you browse the app for free. In order to sign up or sign in you just click on programming and press play. The interface will bring you to a screen to sign up or sign in. If you do not subscribe to HBO as a cable customer or through what was formally the HBO Now app you will be able to sign up through the app. You can also sign up for an HBO Max account via the HBO Max website.
Sign-in screen
The sign-in screen helps users by asking the question Do you get HBO through another company or a cable provider? If you do click there and sign in to HBO Max using your TV provider credentials (the email address and password you use for the service. That includes those who signed up for HBO with Hulu.
In a separate section, it asks the question “Do you have an HBO Max Account? This is for people who signed up for HBO Max on its own instead of getting the service as an add-on from their TV or mobile provider.
Why all the trouble?
If you are confused about all this you are not alone but it’s pretty simple if you take a step back. HBO Max serves two purposes. It provides HBO customers who use the product in the traditional live linear format a way to access HBO’s programming along with a number of related brands on-demand. It also allows people who have cut the cord to sign up and do the same thing. HBO Max does not have a live stream of content.
There used to be two separate HBO streaming apps. One was called HBO Go and it was set up so that people who purchased HBO through a cable company could stream content via mobile and smart TV apps. The other, which came later was HBO Now. HBO Now was an on-demand service from HBO that let users sign up to watch content without the need to go through a provider. What Warner did with HBO Max is make one app that served both audiences which is why there are two sign-in choices. So if a user has HBO already via their cable or satellite subscription they have HBO Max as part of that subscription. And as was the case with HBO Now if someone wishes to stream HBO content on-demand without having a cable subscription they can do so with HBO Max by signing up on HBO Max’s website and access all of the same content the cable subscribers do.
Important note: If you subscribe to HBO via your TV or mobile provider you do not have to start a new account for HBO Max. In fact, don’t. Otherwise, you may accidentally charge yourself an extra 14.99 for signing up for something you already have.
If you already have an HBO channel on your Roku clicking it will open HBO Max. You can make it update by pressing the * button and choosing update. You could also choose to delete the channel and add it again.
