Ad-Supported HBO Max Arrives in June for $10 Per Month

UPDATE 5/19: HBO Max today confirmed that the ad-supported version of its video-streaming service will be $9.99 per month when it debuts in the first week of June. Without ads, HBO Max will still cost you $14.99 per month.

The ad-supported tier will have the same content as the premium version, including the Warner Bros. movies that debut on HBO Max on the same day as they hit theaters.

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At $14.99 per month, HBO Max is one of the more expensive streaming services, but WarnerMedia announced last month that the price is set to fall if you're willing to watch ads. We don't have official confirmation as to the lower price point yet, but it's thought to be $9.99.

As CNBC reports, "people familiar with the matter" have stated that when HBO Max with ads launches in June, it will be offered for $9.99, making it $4 cheaper than the Netflix standard plan, and $3 cheaper than Amazon Prime Video (paid monthly). That's certainly going to be tempting for anyone who balks at the existing $15 price, but how invasive the ads are will determine if it's worth saving $5 a month.

The big draw of HBO Max is its huge catalog of popular shows, but also the promise of all Warner Bros. 2021 movies being viewable on the same day as the theatrical releases. That alone will draw new subscribers as venturing out to a theater remains a risky proposition until a high percentage of the US population has been vaccinated.

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With the launch just over a month away, it shouldn't be much longer before WarnerMedia confirms the official price. It's unlikely to be lower than $9.99 because of the distributors WarnerMedia relies on to market Max to non-HBO and broadband customers in return for a cut. Less money means a smaller cut, but advertising inventory should make up for it.