HBO Max is not included with Paramount Plus

HBO Max and Paramount Plus are two different streaming services owned by two different companies. If you subscribe to Paramount Plus, you do not automatically get HBO Max, and vice versa. They have separate subscription fees, separate apps, and separate content libraries. You would need to pay for both services if you want to watch shows and movies from each one.

This matters because people sometimes assume that major streaming services bundle together, the way cable packages used to. They do not. Each service operates independently, and each one charges its own monthly fee.

Key Takeaways

  • HBO Max and Paramount Plus are owned by different parent companies and require separate subscriptions.
  • You cannot watch HBO Max content through the Paramount Plus app, even if you pay for both services.
  • HBO Max is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery; Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global.
  • Some content appears on both services, but most shows and movies are exclusive to one or the other.

Who owns each service and why that matters

Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, a media company that also owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the Paramount film studio. Paramount Plus carries shows from those networks and films from the Paramount studio.

HBO Max is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns HBO, the Warner Bros. film studio, Discovery Channel, and other networks. HBO Max carries HBO shows, Warner Bros. films, and Discovery Channel content.

Because they are owned by different companies, they do not share content libraries. A show that airs on HBO will not appear on Paramount Plus unless the two companies make a separate licensing deal — which happens rarely and usually only for older content.

What content is exclusive to each service

Paramount Plus has shows like Star Trek: Discovery, Yellowstone, The Good Fight, and Halo. It also carries movies from the Paramount film studio and reruns of CBS shows like The Office and Cheers.

HBO Max has shows like Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us, and True Detective. It also carries Warner Bros. films and HBO documentaries.

Some older shows and movies appear on both services because they were licensed before the streaming wars began. But new releases from either company go to their own service only.

How to watch content from both services

You need two separate subscriptions. read the Paramount Plus app on your device and the HBO Max app (also called Max) on the same device, or use a web browser to access both. Log in to each service separately with your own account for each one.

If you share a household account, each person can have their own profile within each app, and the service will track what each person has watched. But you still need to pay for both subscriptions — there is no bundle or discount for having both.

Whether a bundle might exist in the future

As of now, Paramount Plus and HBO Max do not offer a bundle. Paramount Plus does bundle with other services — for example, you can add Showtime to your Paramount Plus subscription for an extra fee. But HBO Max is not part of any Paramount Plus bundle because the two companies do not have that kind of partnership.

Streaming bundles do exist in other forms. For example, Disney offers a bundle of Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus at a discounted rate. But those three services are all owned by Disney. A bundle between Paramount Plus and HBO Max would require the two companies to negotiate a deal, and there is no public indication that they plan to do so.

The cost difference between services

Both services offer a basic tier with ads and a premium tier without ads. The exact price varies by region and changes over time, so check each service's website for current rates. Generally, the ad-supported tier costs less than the ad-free tier for both services.

If you want to watch both services ad-free, you will pay two separate monthly fees. If you choose the ad-supported tier for both, the combined cost is lower but you will see advertisements during playback.

How to find out what's on each service

The easiest way is to read both apps and search for a show or movie title. Each app will tell you whether that content is available on that service. You can also visit the Paramount Plus website and the HBO Max (Max) website to browse their full libraries.

If you are trying to decide which service to subscribe to first, think about which shows or movies matter most to you. If you want to watch Game of Thrones or The Last of Us, you need HBO Max. If you want Star Trek or Yellowstone, you need Paramount Plus. Many people end up subscribing to both because the content they want is split between them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch HBO Max through the Paramount Plus app?

No. HBO Max has its own app (called Max) and its own website. You must use the Max app or website to watch HBO Max content. Paramount Plus will not show you HBO Max shows or movies, even if you pay for both subscriptions.

Do I get a discount if I subscribe to both services?

No. Paramount Plus and HBO Max do not offer a bundle or a discount for subscribing to both. You pay the full price for each service separately. Some third-party services like Roku or Amazon Prime Video let you add both subscriptions through their platforms, but the total cost is the same.

Will Paramount Plus and HBO Max ever merge?

There is no public plan for the two services to merge. They are owned by different companies with different business strategies. It is possible that one company could buy the other in the future, but that would be a major corporate deal and would be announced in the news if it happened.

What if I only want to watch one service — which should I choose?

It depends on what you want to watch. Make a list of shows or movies you are interested in, then search for them on both services' websites. Whichever service has more of what you want is the better choice for you. You can always add the other service later if you change your mind.

Can I share my HBO Max password with someone outside my household?

HBO Max's terms of service say that accounts are for household use only, and the company has started enforcing password-sharing limits. Paramount Plus has similar policies. If you share your password with someone outside your home, you risk account suspension. Check each service's current password-sharing policy on their website for the exact rules.