HBO Go vs HBO Max vs HBO Now Just Got Even More Confusing

The relationship between HBO Now, HBO Go, and HBO Max just got way more confusing. This afternoon, HBO announced that the cable-connected HBO Go service will officially be “sunsetting” on July 31 as most HBO Go customers make the switch to new platform HBO Max. In addition, standalone streaming service HBO Now will be rebranded to HBO, meaning that as of August 1, there will be just two products on the market: WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, and plain ol’ Home Box Office.

Despite AT&T and WarnerMedia’s best efforts, this process remains endlessly confusing (and I say that as an entertainment journalist). When is HBO Go going away? How do I switch from HBO Go to HBO Max? You’ve got questions, and we’ve got answers — read on to find out!

WHEN IS HBO GO ENDING?

In an attempt to clear up confusion on the HBO Max vs HBO Go vs HBO Now front, HBO Go will be sunsetting on July 31, 2020. As of that date, HBO subscribers will only have two possible options (and ideally fewer questions): HBO, which offers all the shows and movies available on the premium cabler; or HBO Max, which features HBO titles plus content from Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, and more.

HOW TO TURN HBO GO INTO HBO MAX FOR FREE

On July 31, WarnerMedia will remove the HBO Go app from primary platforms (smart TVs, mobile devices, streaming sticks, etc.) and will encourage users to sign up for HBO Max. Many HBO Go customers will have free access to HBO Max, so it’s simply a matter of creating an account and switching your information over to the new service.

Getting HBO Max for free depends on how you get your HBO Go subscription. If you subscribe to HBO Go through the following cable companies, you will have immediate access to HBO Max:

AT&T and AT&T U-Verse: Existing wireless, video, and internet customers who subscribe to HBO through AT&T will be offered immediate access to HBO Max at launch.

Altice USA: All existing Optimum and Suddenlink HBO and HBO Now subscribers will be given immediate access to HBO Max at launch.

Comcast Xfinity: Existing X1 and Flex HBO subscribers will have immediate access to HBO Max at no additional cost. New customers will be able to purchase HBO Max directly through Xfinity in the coming days.

Cox Communications: Cox Contour’s existing HBO subscribers will have immediate access to HBO Max at launch and at no extra cost, in addition to their existing HBO linear and on demand services.

DirecTV Premier and Lo Maximo: Existing subscribers who subscribe to HBO through DirecTV will be offered immediate access to HBO Max at launch.

Verizon: Verizon Fios TV and Fios Internet customers who subscribe to HBO or HBO Max will get immediate access to HBO Max at launch at no additional cost.

IS HBO MAX ON ROKU YET? WHAT ABOUT HBO MAX ON FIRESTICK?

Now this is where it gets tricky. While HBO Go is available on pretty much every device, HBO Max is notably absent from two of the world’s most popular streaming devices: Roku and Amazon Fire Stick. WarnerMedia has given these users one additional month past the July 31 sunset date to figure things out, but after August 31, HBO Go users who watch via a Roku or Fire Stick will not be able to access HBO at all — unless HBO Max strikes a deal with them before that deadline.

The companies didn’t manage to get things negotiated before HBO Max launched on May 27, but considering that a large swathe of viewers will be totally unable to access HBO in just a few weeks, this could be the kick in the pants WarnerMedia needs.

WILL HBO MAX REPLACE HBO NOW?

Kind of. Users will still be able to watch HBO Now on their computers at HBONow.com and on devices that are not supported by HBO Max (Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, certain smart TVs). If a device supports HBO Max, the HBO Max app will be available in the app store, and the HBO Now app will not be available.

In the coming months, HBO Now will be rebranded as HBO (just plain HBO), but existing HBO Now customers will continue to have access to all of HBO through a rebranded HBO app and via play.hbo.com.