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HBO Max is unfortunately not available in Canada.
However, if you already have an account with HBO Max and are visiting the country, you can still watch your favourite content such as Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts, Dune, or Friends: The Reunion by using a VPN and following these simple steps:
1. Using a VPN, connect to an accepted server location
2. Next, sign in to your HBO Max account
3. Finally, hit play and enjoy all that HBO Max has to offer!
Why Can’t I Watch HBO Max in Canada?
Canadians hoping to get an HBO Max subscription to the streaming service were bitterly disappointed when it was announced that HBO had no plans to launch in Canada.
However, the company did give Canadians a consolation prize in the form of a licensing agreement with Crave.
Crave subscribers in Canada with the HBO add-on will receive a new premium content library.
Canadians can get some of the HBO Max content through a Crave subscription.
However, due to some licensing issues, even the Crave service won’t get the full suite of HBO Max in Canada shows and movies in 2023.
Instead, Crave subscribers get all the original content but no access to films that already have licensing agreements in the US.
This licensing issue is part of a deal between Warner Bros and Bell Media, retaining exclusive rights to all HBO Max content shown outside of the United States.
Therefore, if you’re expecting to get everything on HBO Max in Canada through Crave, be aware that, unfortunately, that won’t be the case.
If you already have an HBO Max account and are trying to access your account while outside of your home country, you can use a VPN to unblock hbo max app. While some countries have laws in place that make it illegal to use a VPN, Canada is not one of them. Using a VPN is legal in Canada; in every province and territory, it’s 100% legal to use a VPN so you don’t have to worry about breaking any laws by signing up for a VPN. VPNs are used to create secure, private connections.
VPNs come in various formats from dozens of companies, and there are many cheap VPNs available. The best companies charge an affordable monthly fee, and you can often find deals online for deep discounts on annual and multi-year packages. However, despite VPNs being reasonably priced, there is still a huge demand for free VPN services. Also, mobile VPNs are available for download to Apple and Android devices for an affordable monthly subscription, and home networks and small businesses can also use VPN routers that cover all the devices that connect to them.
HBO Max In Canada Overview
With its launch at the end of May 2020, HBO Max is a premier streaming service from one of America’s favourite studios.
The platform got off to a slow start compared to other competitors in 2020.
Disney+ achieved more than 74 million subscribers in its first year, far ahead of expectations.
HBO captured nearly 13 million subs by the end of December, with the company describing its rollout as “flawless.”
However, the stats don’t back up the statement by AT&T CEO John T. Stankey.
Only around 30% of HBO subscribers took the offer to access HBO Max in Canada for free.
That’s somewhat surprising considering HBO and Warner Bros decided on simultaneously releasing their 2023 titles on HBO Max while launching in theatres.
Stankey says the new collaboration provides a win-win for theatres and consumers, giving them more options for how they want to view WB and HBO content.
It’s an innovative move, helping studios, theatres, and audiences thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the Best Shows on HBO Max?
HBO Max has some of the best Series and movies available online.
Some of the top titles available include the following:
- Succession
- Gossip Girl
- Westworld
- Game of Thrones
- The Big Bang Theory
- Doctor Who
- The Office
- South Park
- Friends
HBO Max subscribers also get sneak previews of exclusive content.
The content library is extensive and comparable to the Disney+ archive.
Additionally, the streaming service has classic and current HBO movies and shows, as well as new originals (Max Originals).
It also offers select movies and shows from other WarnerMedia brands, such as New Line Cinema, CNN, DC, Rooster Teeth, the Turner library, Looney Tunes, and much more.
Some of the forthcoming original shows planned for release include:
- Adventure Time: Distant Lands series
- Doom Patrol (s2)
- Perry Mason
- Frayed
- The Dog House
Sure, we get that HBO’s current original offering might not be enough to counter those from Netflix and Amazon.
However, the company is investing in new content, with many new projects in the works with its in-house and external content partnerships with leading studios.
Unlike other streaming services such as Apple TV+, HBO Max in Canada relies on past content to attract prospective subscribers.
You also have options for viewing shows on the broader AT&T-owned media landscape.
All video streaming services need a comprehensive library of on-demand films.
HBO Max is a winner in this category as well, offering you hundreds of top-quality titles.
Content partnerships with leading in-house studios like New Line Cinema and Warner Bros keep a steady stream of new movies flowing to HBO Max subscribers.
As mentioned, Warner Bros plans on launching its movies on HBO Max, alongside their theatre release in 2021.
The response is due to the pandemic and how it’s changing consumer behaviour.
With theatres shuttering during the pandemic, there were fewer releases this year than in the last 20-years of film-making.
However, HBO intends to make up for that in 2021, giving the audience the chance to watch their favourite movies in the theatre or at home on HBO Max.
Some of the top releases for the coming year include: The Matrix 4, The Dune, The Suicide Squad, and several others.
Other Top Streaming Services
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service, owned by Google, that offers a good selection of local and international channels varying on your location. Unlike most other platforms, YouTube TV offers features such as the ability to record shows and watch them later. However, it is only available in the United States, though you can bypass this restriction by using some of the best VPN services.
Discovery Plus Canada
Discovery Plus Canada is a great way to watch your favourite shows, movies, and documentaries, including channels like Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, and many more. You can watch Discovery Plus in Canada by visiting their site and signing up for an account or by using a Canadian version of the app that was released in October. And if you want to watch the American version of Discovery Plus, you can use a VPN.
Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is a great choice for your streaming service portfolio if you’re into top-rated content. You get a range of top-rated movies and shows with the option for an ad-free viewing experience. Paramount Plus is available on Amazon Prime Canada. It’s a great way to watch movies and TV shows online, with a library of titles that includes new and classic releases. Plus, you can access Prime Video content with supported devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Hotstar
Hotstar is the popular Indian video streaming service owned by the Star network, rebranded to Disney+ Hotstar in early 2020 after Disney took over Star India. With more than 100,000 hours of content in nine languages, they have a wide selection of content, including live cricket matches and all major sporting events. The Canadian version offers a limited selection of shows and movies, but VPNs are a great way to get around regional restrictions.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a live streaming service that provides access to select channels for a monthly fee. The service offers various packages such as ESPN, AMC, TNT, HGTV, HBO and Cinemax. Sling TV can be watched outside of the US by using a VPN, which will allow you to stream Sling TV content without any restrictions.
ESPN+
ESPN+ gives you access to world-class sporting events and live streams across a variety of sports. While the main ESPN channel has the best coverage for NHL, MLB, and NBA. Also, ESPN+ excels in its coverage of niche sports such as MMA, Boxing, Lacrosse, Canadian Football, and many more. Sadly, ESPN+ is not currently available for Canadians.
Peacock TV
Peacock TV is a video streaming service based in the United States, owned and operated by NBC Universal, offering popular shows like 30 Rock and having exclusive access to sports coverage like Premier League soccer matches. Sadly, for now, the service is only available in the US, but users outside of the US can still use a VPN to get a US IP address.
HBO Max
HBO Max has some of the best Series and movies available online such as Game of Thrones, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and many more. Unlike other streaming services, HBO Max relies on past content to attract future subscribers. Warner Bros has no plans on releasing HBO Max to Canadians, but a VPN can solve your issue.
Hulu
Hulu is available in the United States and Japan and offers a wide selection of TV shows and movies, as well as its own original programming. Some of the top TV shows and movies offered by Hulu include The Handmaid’s Tale, Seinfeld, The Thick of It and many more. However, if you want to watch Hulu in Canada, you won’t be able to access the platform directly unless you use a VPN that works with Hulu.
Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is a great choice for your streaming service portfolio if you’re into top-rated content. You get a range of top-rated movies and shows with the option for an ad-free viewing experience. Paramount Plus is available on Amazon Prime Canada. It’s a great way to watch movies and TV shows online, with a library of titles that includes new and classic releases. Plus, you can access Prime Video content with supported devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will HBO Max Ever Come to Canada?
There are no plans to release HBO Max in Canada as of now. The streaming service is only available in the United States, and there are no announcements of it expanding to other countries.
While HBO Max has not been released in Canada yet, there are other streaming services that you can use. Netflix, for example, is available in both the United States and Canada. Hulu is also available in the United States, but it is not yet released in Canada.
If you’re looking for a streaming service that offers a wide range of content, including current seasons of popular TV shows and movies, then Netflix would be your best option. If you’re more interested in watching older movies and TV shows, then Hulu might be a better choice for you. Alternatively, you can use a VPN to unblock HBO Max and watch HBO Max in Canada.
How Much Does HBO Max Cost?
As of right now, HBO Max will cost users $14.99 a month. This is significantly more expensive than both Netflix and Hulu, which both charge around $12 a month. However, it is important to note that HBO Max will include access to all of HBO’s content, including past and current series, as well as a library of movies. The HBO Max app will also be home to new original programming that will only be available on HBO Max.
Can I access HBO Max on Amazon Prime?
As of early 2020, HBO Max is no longer available on Amazon Prime. This means that if you have an Amazon Prime account, you will not be able to watch HBO Max content through that service. However, you can still sign up for HBO Max directly through the network’s website or app.
Does Cravetv have HBO Max?
The answer to this question is yes. CraveTV has HBO Max. CraveTV is a Canadian streaming service that offers its users access to a variety of TV shows, movies, and documentaries. Some of the content that can be seen on Cravetv includes new episodes of The Office and Game of Thrones, as well as older classics like The Godfather and The Dark Knight. HBO Max is a new streaming service from HBO that offers its users access to all of HBO’s content, including new original programming like The Watchmen and His Dark Materials.
Why is HBO Max not available in Canada?
HBO Max is not available in Canada because of licensing restrictions. The company that owns HBO Max, WarnerMedia, has a licensing agreement with Bell Media that only allows HBO Max to be broadcast in the United States. This means that Canadians cannot watch HBO Max unless they use a virtual private network (VPN) to access the service. While VPNs can be used to get around geographic restrictions, they can also be used to protect your privacy online.