There are so many different streaming services out there nowadays, giving users access to an entire world of content, from live shows and sports events to on-demand movies, documentaries, and more. HBO Max and YouTube TV are two popular streaming services you might like to consider subscribing to.
But, before handing over any actual cash, it’s best to try and look for free trials of these kinds of services. Free trials allow you to test out a service and see what it has to offer before signing up for a long-term subscription. In this guide, we’ll see if it’s possible to watch HBO Max on YouTube TV for free.
An overview of HBO Max
So, what do you need to know about HBO Max? In short, HBO Max is a video on-demand service that is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched back in 2020 and quickly became a popular service, offering content from major networks like HBO, WB, and Cartoon Netwrok.
Over 10,000 hours of content are available to enjoy on HBO Max, and the service also stands out for its Max Originals programming, including shows like The Flight Attendant, Gossip Girl, and Tokyo Vice.
There have been some pretty big changes at HBO Max recently, since the merge of Warnermedia and Discovery, Inc., and it’s expected that the service will evolve further, eventually merging with Discovery+ to create one unified streaming service.
An overview of YouTube TV
What about YouTube TV? Well, this is a live TV streaming service that offers both live TV broadcasts from dozens of channels, as well as on-demand video, too. It features shows and programming from all of the “Big Three” networks (CBS, NBC, and ABC) as well as Fox, The CW, and others.
YouTube TV launched back in 2017 and has grown to have millions of subscribers. It’s also evolved a lot over the years, adding more channels and programming options for its users to enjoy, as well as lots of package add-ons and optional upgrades that users can
Like many other streaming services, YouTube TV runs on a range of devices. It offers cloud-based DVR that lets you save recordings for up to nine months, as well as the ability to have three simultaneous streams on the same account.
How do HBO Max and YouTube TV work together?
On the face of it, it’s a little strange to suggest that HBO Max and YouTube TV could work together in any way, as they’re both rival streaming services competing for the attention of audiences.
However, one of the ways in which YouTube TV has evolved is by offering lots of different add-on packages, featuring channels and services like Starz, Showtime, and even HBO Max.
This means that subscribers to YouTube TV can actually choose to add the HBO Max add-on package to their accounts and enjoy access to all of HBO Max’s impressive library of on-demand content, featuring such shows as The Sopranos and Our Flag Means Death.
Can you get an HBO Max free trial with YouTube TV?
Now, here’s the important part: is it possible to watch HBO Max on YouTube TV with a free trial? Well, the answer is yes. And this is quite interesting, because HBO Max doesn’t usually offer free trials to new users.
Usually, if you sign up for HBO Max via the standard HBO Max site, you won’t be offered any kind of free trial. However, if you sign up and add HBO Max as an add-on via YouTube TV, you’ll actually get to enjoy a week-long free trial.
This gives you a great opportunity to test out HBO Max and watch some of its content for a full week before deciding whether not they want to commit to a full-length subscription on HBO Max.
Not only that, but YouTube TV also sometimes offers free taster periods of some of the add-on services it has to offer, including HBO Max. In May of 2022, for example, YouTube TV let users try out HBO Max for free for five days.
How much does HBO Max on YouTube TV cost?
Of course, even though you can get an HBO Max free trial with YouTube TV, it won’t last forever. The trial will run out after the seven-day period, and then you’ll need to decide if you want to continue with HBO Max and start paying for it.
If you do choose to go ahead with a full subscription, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of $15 per month to access HBO Max as part of your YouTube TV subscription. There’s also an Entertainment Plus package you could consider, which includes HBO Max, Starz, and Showtime all together for the price of $29.99 a month.
If you’d prefer not to pay for HBO Max and just want to take advantage of the free trial, you have to remember to cancel and remove the add-on from your YouTube TV subscription before the trial period ends to avoid being billed.
How do I watch HBO Max with YouTube TV?
Watching HBO Max on YouTube TV is really easy. All you have to do is log in to the YouTube TV app via your TV, your computer, or some other compatible device, like a phone or tablet.
If you’re on the TV app, you can head into the store page, find HBO Max, and click on the “Add Network” button to add it to your subscription.
On other devices, you’ll have to head into the profile menu, then find “Membership” and then tick the box next to HBO Max and complete the purchase.
Our takeaway: It’s worth trying out HBO Max for free if you’re a YouTube TV subscriber
If you’ve already got YouTube TV and you’ve been interested in HBO Max in the past, it’s worth giving this free trial a go. It only lasts for a week, but that’s still enough time to see what the service is all about and watch some shows.
Want to learn more? You can read through our full review of HBO Max or our YouTube TV review to find out much more about both of these streaming services and find out which one is right for you. You can also find out more about Netflix alternatives like HBO Max here, or discover how to watch HBO Max on Apple TV.
