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YouTube TV vs HBO Max: Which Is Better For You?[2024]

YouTube TV vs HBO Max: Which Is Better For You?[2024]

YouTube TV vs HBO Max – In this article, we’ll be talking about YouTube TV vs HBO Max, and whether you can access HBO Max on YouTube TV.

HBO Max is an on-demand streaming service that comprises all of HBO together. While YouTube TV is a replacement for the traditional cable services that offer Live TV channels and more.

The basic YouTube TV costs $64.99 a month and consists of CBS, FOX, ABC, NBC, and more. Besides, it also lets you subscribe to numerous add-on packages.

So, although you can subscribe to HBO Max from its official site, you also get the ability to subscribe to HBO Max on YouTube TV.

Keep on reading to know about the detailed explanation on YouTube TV vs HBO Max!

YouTube TV vs HBO Max: Overview

YouTube TV: YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that lets you watch on-demand, cloud-based DVR, and live TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks.

Enjoy local and national live sports, breaking news, and must-see shows the moment they air. And it includes unlimited cloud DVR storage space, so you can record your favorites, and stream them wherever you go.

You also get 6 accounts per household, so share with your family members or roommates. Yet, it only allows up to three simultaneous streams.

HBO Max: HBO Max is an American subscription-based video on demand service that principally serves as a content hub for WarnerMedia’s various films and television shows.

Besides, it also offers content from the Cartoon Network, Looney Tunes, Crunchyroll, Studio Ghibli, and more. So, with limitless access to thousands of hours of entertainment, you can get everything for your family.

It allows set up to five separate viewer profile with individual preferences and even color-coding. And the ad-free service lets downloads for offline mobile vieweing.

YouTube TV vs HBO Max: What Do They Offer?

Here is a detailed guide on what YouTube TV and HBO Max offer;

YouTube TV

youtube tv vs hbo max

The YouTube TV’s base plan comprises over 85 live TV channels, which depends on your location, all you need to do is to enter your Zip code and find out what channels you can access.

YouTube TV’s popular channels are USA, FX, Bravo, and FX. As for news channels, it provides networks like CNBC, MSNBC, BBC World News, and Fox News.

Its other channels are Animal Planet, ABC, Bravo, USA, AMC, CBS, Comedy Central, Disney, Discovery, Disney XD, MLB Network, Investigation Discovery, National Geographic, Oxygen, TBS, and more.

Furthermore, you can also choose from a variety of channel add-ons to view more entertainment options. What makes it more exciting that many add-ons even offer a free trial. That means you can test services like HBO Max for a week or so.

Since keeping track of every channel and package can be quite difficult, check out the table below where we made it easier for you to view your options.

PackagePriceChannels
4K Plus$10 a month4K playback of selected channels Offline viewing No limits on simultaneous streams at home
Sports Plus$11 a monthBilliards TV, Fox Soccer Plus, GOL TV, MavTV, NFL RedZone, Outside TV+, Players TV, Poker Go+, Sports Grid, Stadium, Stadium Overflow 1, Stadium Overflow 2, Stadium Overview 3, Stadium College Sports Atlantic, Stadium College Sports Central, Stadium College Sports Pacific, TVG, TVG2, VSiN, BeIN Sports, BeIN Sports Xtra
Entertainment Plus$30 a monthHBO, HBO 2, HBO Comedy, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Signature, HBO Zone, Showtime (East), Showtime (West), Showtime 2, SHOxBET, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Family Zone, Showtime Next, Showtime Showcase, Showtime Women, Starz Comedy, Starz Cinema, Starz In Black, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Espanol, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns
HBO Max$15 a monthHBO, HBO 2, HBO Comedy, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Signature, HBO Zone,
Showtime$11 a monthShowtime (East), Showtime (West), Showtime 2, SHOxBET, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Family Zone, Showtime Next, Showtime Showcase, Showtime Women,
Starz$9 a monthStarz Comedy, Starz Cinema, Starz In Black, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Espanol, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns
Epix$6 a monthEpix, Epix 2, Epix Hits, Epix Drive-in

HBO Max

hbo max vs youtube tv

HBO Max has an outstanding selection of content that combines current and classic HBO shows, Max originals, and select movies and shows from other WarnerMedia brands.

Both the ad-free and ad-supported subscription offers over 10,000 hours of iconic shows and movies. Yet, it mainly focuses on the development of the original content.

Warner Bros streamed numerous films on HBO Max the same day they got released in the theaters. These include The Matrix Resurrections, Think Dune, Suicide Squad movie, Godzilla vs. Kong, and more.

The library of movies on HBO Max is one of its best features. Classic films include A Streetcar Names Desire, Rebel Without a Cause, Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, A Spacey Odyssey, Casablanca, and Pride and Prejudice.

Classic and Contemporary animated series also make an appearance on HBO Max, such as Dexter’s Laboratory, The Flintstones, Samurai Jack, Adventure Time, Teen Titans, Steven Universe, Powerpuff’s Girls, and The Jetsons.

As for the anime, it offers Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Rurouni Kenshin, Erased, Kill la Kill, In/Spectre, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Although it is a decent list, there are a lot of anime streaming apps that are entirely dedicated to anime.

Originals: HBO Max offers a number of original shows, such as specials, documentaries, series, miniseries, and films.

The shows produced for HBO Max are called Max Originals and these are divided into three categories – Millennials & Gen Z, Kids & Family, and Adult.

Some of the popular titles of HBO Max originals include Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, Last Week Tonight, The Flight Attendant, Oz, Big Little Lies, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Six Feet Under, and The Sapronas.

Other shows include Legendary – a dance and fashion game, Craftopia – a crafting competition shows for kids, a new collection of Bugs Bunny, Looney Tunes, Tweety Bird, and more.

Sports: Recently, there is a broadcast deal between Turner Sports and the NHL. Through this agreement, TBS and TNT have NHL broadcast rights for 72 regular-season games and select postseason series.

More importantly, the deal has extended its streaming rights to HBO Max as well. Yet, these rights aren’t in effect until the next NHL season.

YouTube TV vs HBO Max: Everything About YouTube TV & HBO Max!

Price

YouTube TV:

  • It costs $64.99 per month.
  • Offers over 85+ channels of live sports, entertainment, news, and many more.
  • Unlimited cloud DVR storage space.
  • 3 streams and 6 accounts per household.
  • No cable box, contracts, or hidden fees.
  • No equipment rentals or install appointments are required.
  • Add on sports and premium networks for an additional monthly charge, including SHOWTIME, FOX Soccer Plus, STARZ, and more.

While YouTube TV is fully-featured, initially, it used to be one of the most expensive services, but now another popular streaming service – Hulu + Live TV, also charges the same.

Even if other TV services like Sling TV or Philo are available at lesser prices, their channel line-ups are limited and offer less content.

HBO Max: It offers two plans to choose from;

 HBO Max With AdsHBO Max Ad-Free
Pay Monthly$7.99$11.99
Prepay For a Year$9.99$14.99
Enjoy thousands of hours of series, movies, and exclusive originalsYesYes
Curated Kids’ experience with flexible parental controlYesYes
Personalized streaming for up to 5 profilesYesYes
Download your favorites to watch offlineNoYes
Include Warner Bros. 2021 movie premiers the same day as theatresNoYes
Video QualityHD4K UHD

Compatible Devices

YouTube TV: You can watch YouTube TV on any supported device. You can download YouTube TV on your smartphone (both iOS and Android), Amazon Fire TV devices, Roku players and TVs, Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, Vizio SmartCast TVs, TiVo Stream 4K, Samsung & LG smart TVs, HiSense TVs, and more.

You can also stream YouTube TV to your smart TV by using Google Chromecast, Android TV, Google Smart Displays, or AirPlay for Apple TV. Or watch directly on the web at tv.youtube.com/ 

As for the gaming consoles, it includes Xbox One S, Xbox s, Xbox One X, Xbox X, Xbox One X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Roku.

HBO Max: You can watch HBO Max on any supported device. You can download HBO Max on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android phones & tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, and on the web.

When it comes to TVs and gaming consoles, it supports Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Samsung TV, Spectrum WorldBox, VIZIO Smart TV, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, XClass TV, Xfinity X1, and Xfinity Flex.

If you don’t have any compatible TVs, you can also stream on your TV Chromecast, AirPlay, and HDMI cable.

Interface

YouTube TV: As you might think, YouTube TV’s interface is quite similar to the regular YouTube app or site.

Depending on your watching habits and the content that is present in your DVR, it takes you to the home screen where it offers Top Picks.

Access its search tool for finding content to watch for a certain channel or genre from the top right corner. And through the settings panel, it let you manage subscription details, subscriptions to add-on channels, and billing information.

The Home section is where you can view the content that you want to watch. Beyond the Home Screen, you primarily get two top-level tabs –Library and Live.

Through the library section, you can access everything you’ve recorded, scheduled recordings, and all other recordings, which you can sort by recentness, content type, alphabetically, and popularity.

From the Live section, scroll down the list of available channels to view what is currently playing. If you want to watch something, you can simply click on the live preview.

HBO Max: HBO Max has a very clean and easy interface. The menu on the left side of the home screen comprises seen promoted shows and movies. You can view more promotional content below the My List and Continue Watching sections.

With the 9 hub buttons, you can navigate through DC, Sesame Workshop, Looney Tunes, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, HBO, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, and Studio Ghibli.

Further rows comprise family-friendly movies and shows, comedies, and mysteries. There are also rows for The Continues Fight for Civil Rights, LGBTQ+, the best movies on HBO Max, and more.

A menu from the left side of the screen divides by genre and has categories for movies, series, originals, last chance, just added and coming soon.

What makes it annoying is that even though it gives details like when the new content is going to arrive for the Coming Soon shows, it doesn’t give dates for when shows and movies are leaving.

From your account settings, you can manage your account and billing details, see what devices are logged in with your credentials, and edit, switch or create new profiles.

Video Quality

YouTube TV: YouTube TV has debuted numerous 4K streams for NBC and the Golf Channel. Though it costs $19.99 per month extra, don’t worry, it’ll be discounting the first year of payments and offer its services at just $9.99 a month.

HBO Max: Streaming in 4K HDR is only available with the ad-free plan. And to stream in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos audio, you need the supported 4K HDR streaming devices, high speed internet, and a Dolby Atmos-capable sound system. 

However, you can only watch limited movies in 4K Ultra HDR, Dolby Vision, and HDR 10. These movies include 8-bit Christmas, In the Heights, The Matrix movie series, Reminiscence, The Little Things, Godzilla vs Kong, and a few others.

Playback Experience

YouTube TV: With YouTube TV, you can stream live channels in 1080p/60fps as well as get support for Dolby 5.1 sound on selected devices.

And with the YouTube TV’s 4K Plus add-on, you can watch major sports events and live content from ESPN and NBC.

However, the streaming resolution will depend on the source. For instance, as the football game is broadcasted by Fox Sports, it is limited to 720p/60fps.

Well, because YouTube TV is a substitute for the traditional cable service, you’ll still get to see the same ads. Though, one of the major advantages of YouTube is that its DVR functionality lets you fast-forward ads in your recordings. 

HBO Max: HBO Max’s playback screen on the web is fairly standard. Most of HBO Max’s content is available in 1080p, and it features a great layout.

You also get a 15-second rewind button and closed caption options. Nonetheless, there is no option to choose a streaming resolution, which is quite annoying.

At the bottom of the Home Screen, you’ll see HBO Max Hubs for different types of content and there is also a separate navigation menu on the left side of the screen.  

HBO Max vs HBO on YouTube TV

You can add both HBO Max and HBO to your YouTube TV membership and stream all of its content using the HBO Max app.

Usually, HBO Max costs $7.99 (ad-supported) and $11.99 (ad-free) a month. So, if you want to subscribe to HBO Max within YouTube TV, it costs $15 a month and includes HBO, HBO 2, HBO Comedy, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Signature, and HBO Zone.

That means if you subscribe to HBO Max, you can access all of the HBO channels and on-demand HBO content by using the YouTube TV app.

You also get the option to sign up for a YouTube TV package – Entertainment Plus ($29.99 a month), which offers a combination of HBO Max, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.

Note that you can’t enjoy a free trial for Entertainment Plus. But you can sign up individually to try them separately before subscribing to the bundle. 

HBO Max on YouTube TV

Yes! You get the ability to add HBO Max to your YouTube TV for just $15 a month. So, after you add the HBO Max add-on on your YouTube TV, you can stream all HBO Max content by using the HBO Max app.

By adding the HBO Max add-on, you can also view content HBO, HBO 2, HBO Comedy, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Signature, and HBO Zone.

What Is The Difference Between HBO Max and HBO?

One of the main differences between HBO Max and HBO is what you can stream. Check out below;

  • HBO – You can stream all of your HBO favorite series, movies, specials, and more.
  • HBO Max – You can stream all of HBO together with a huge collection of classic TV favorites, even more blockbuster movies, as well as Max Originals.

Is HBO included with YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that offers additional packages like HBO, Starz, Showtime, etc., to add to your live TV service.

Final Words: So, that’s everything about YouTube TV vs HBO Max! Apart from signing up for HBO Max from its official site, you can also subscribe to it on your YouTube TV.

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FAQs

How much is HBO Max with YouTube TV?

Only HBO Max costs $15 a month on YouTube TV. However, YouTube TV’s Entertainment Plus package costs $30 a month, which comprises SHOWTIME, HBO Max, and Starz. 
If you want to subscribe to SHOWTIME and Starz individually, they cost $11 and $9 respectively. So, the Entertainment Plus package makes sense because it only costs $30 a month, and when you subscribe to these services separately, the cost roundup to $35.

Can I add my existing HBO Max account to YouTube TV?

No. Even though YouTube TV lets users add HBO Max to their live TV streaming package, it doesn’t allow subscribers to add an existing subscription to the Live TV service.

Does YouTube TV get 4K?

Yes. YouTube TV offers 4K streaming for selected on-demand and live service. It also includes offline viewing and unlimited simultaneous streams. However, it costs an extra $10 a month for the first year.