Is HBO still free with AT&T?
For several years, many people who use AT&T Internet have appreciated free HBO with their wireless or internet service packages. However, AT&T has made some recent alterations to their HBO options and this raises the question, is HBO still included with AT&T? Here's a breakdown of the latest details.
What is New for Those Who Sign up for AT&T Service?
Free HBO is no longer included with most new unlimited wireless plans as of August 2021. The only plan that the carrier currently sells and does not include HBO Max for free is its best Unlimited Elite plan. Therefore, if you are going to subscribe to the AT&T service right now, you might be required to pay for HBO as a bolt-on to the wireless plan or as a stand-alone service to HBO Max.
One of them is the decision to launch HBO Max as an addition to newer unlimited AT&T wireless plans for $15 per month. There are also other HBO Max offers if one is a new ATT consumer, inclusive of streaming packages with internet, TV, and wireless. Thus, while the regular free HBO offer is now mostly a thing of the past, there are still opportunities if you are willing to accept multi-service packages.
But What About Existing AT& T Customers?
Current AT&T customers can still get HBO for free if they are under one of the older, previously negotiated deals. Here are specifics on which current customers still get free access.
- Wireless Customers – Those who still have the old-style unlimited plans (such as Unlimited & More Premium), can watch HBO for free. You can retain this legacy plan when upgrading devices. AT&T has slightly different names for its new plans, so double-check your specifics if you are confused.
- Internet Customers – HBO can still be free for some customers on the AT&T internet service providers particularly those on grandfathered plans. Availability can also differ depending on the particular region. Look at your bill – if you have had constant free HBO for some time, it will remain the same.
- DIRECTV Customers – existing AT&T/DIRECTV video customer base in many cases still have free HBO as part of the programming tier. However, similar to internet service, legacy discounted bundles may be different.
In many cases, maintaining free HBO often entails remaining with only those qualified grandfathered AT&T plans consistently. Switching plans is counterproductive because you will lose your free HBO. Furthermore, most HBO promotions are not renewed on demand, and therefore, HBO Go should not be expected to offer its services for free in the long run unless officially bundled into the package of the legacy package pricing schemes.
The decision is part of a new strategy to encourage users to subscribe to the company’s more recent HBO Max streaming service. Although the original format of HBO is still present, Max now embodies the future of the premium network with larger catalogs. Therefore, AT&T is adding new paid HBO services directly for consumers, though exciting to give free HBO to most of its users.
Are you still perplexed about HBO with AT&T?
Since modernization strategies are changing rapidly, HBO plan details can be unclear to AT&T consumers. If you do not find free HBO mentioned somewhere clearly and obviously, in your wireless or internet bill then most probably you have to pay extra now.
However, there are still some cases where traditional packages provide free HBO or save money on the transition to HBO Max. The only way to be sure about the current status is to check the details of your AT&T account. You also can get to AT&T support if you are not sure something about your services and prices.
It’s worth noting that while the days of free HBO for all AT&T customers may be coming to an end, those who have locked into grandfathered bundles are still able to take advantage of this benefit. Just be ready for the fact that you can lose free HBO in the future if you change the AT&T service plan in the future.
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