The Max Price Increase Is Here, Just in Time for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2
Max is getting a little pricier for audiences.
Warner Bros. Discovery announced a price increase for the ad-free version of streaming platform Max, starting today June 4, for new subscriptions. The monthly cost will rise by $1, from $15.99 to $16.99 per month, with the annual plan increasing by $20 from $149.99 to $169.99.
The ad-free tier similarly rises by $1 per month, going up to $20.99 in monthly payments or $209.99 for the year, marking a $10 per year increase.
For preexisting subscriber accounts, users will be notified 30 days in advance of their plan renewing. The price increases will start from customers’ next billing cycle on or after July 4. Current yearly subscribers will not see an increase until renewal.
For those who endure ads, there’s no news: The Max ad-supported version will not change in price, with customers still paying $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
The Max announcement comes right before the debut of tentpole franchise prequel “House of the Dragon,” expanding the “Game of Thrones” cinematic universe on the platform. “House of the Dragon” Season 2 launches June 16.
IndieWire attended the buzzy Season 2 world premiere at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, where Casey Bloys addressed the expensive price tag of the fantasy series.
“I’m guessing that they’ve had a couple conversations saying, ‘Where’s all that HBO money go?’” Bloys said. “And my hope is that you see it on screen tonight. The dragons are very cool, they’re very expensive, but I did ask the production team to give me an idea of what it takes to put on a season of ‘House of the Dragon’ or a show of this size.”
Bloys pointed to the impressive “real numbers” that comprise the series, including “270 shooting days, 2,500 crew members, 9,000 extras, eight visual effects houses in seven countries, 2,600 arrows, 2,000 pairs of boots, 114 wigs, and 33 gallons of blood — to give you an idea what it takes.”
Those numbers pay off for Max: “House of the Dragon” smashed streaming records for the platform.
