HBO Max Will Be Free for All Charter Customers with Existing HBO Subscriptions

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In a significant milestone before it launches HBO Max next month, WarnerMedia has set a deal with Charter Communications, the No. 2 U.S. cable distributor, to give its existing HBO subscribers free access to the streaming service.

Similar to Disney’s deal with Verizon ahead of the launch of Disney+, the pact with Charter expands the potential scope of subscribers for HBO Max. The $15 a month service had previously been confirmed as available to all AT&T pay-TV subscribers to HBO.

Under the deal, all of Charter’s existing HBO subscribers, including subscribers in its Spectrum Silver and Gold video packages, will automatically be given access to HBO Max at no additional charge. All remaining and new customers will be able to purchase HBO Max directly from Charter.

“Charter has been a longtime distributor of our networks and on-demand content, and a valued partner to our company,” said Rich Warren, president of WarnerMedia Distribution. “We look forward to working together to bring HBO Max to Spectrum subscribers when the product launches next month.”

“We are eager to provide Spectrum customers with the highly-anticipated HBO Max offering when it makes its debut next month,” said Tom Montemagno, Charter’s Executive Vice President, Programming Acquisition. “This new premium streaming experience will be a welcome addition to Spectrum subscribers; we will offer HBO Max on a multitude of platforms for purchase by our video, broadband and mobile customers alike.”

HBO Max is coming to market during an especially packed corridor, as Disney, Apple and Comcast all bring out new streaming offerings designed to slow the momentum of Netflix and other incumbents.