If youre an AEW fan who watches Dynamite, Collision, or pay-per-views through MAX, your monthly bill just went upagain.
HBO Max, the current streaming home for AEW Dynamite, AEW Collision, and the companys pay-per-view events, has officially raised its prices across all tiers. The change comes just as Warner Bros. Discovery enters a turbulent chapter, reviewing potential buyouts and reorganizations that could affect AEWs future placement on both cable and streaming.
Effective immediately, the cost of every MAX subscription tier is going up. The Basic With Ads plan is now $10.99 a month (a $1 bump), or $109.99 a year. The Standard plan jumps to $18.49 per month (up $1.50) or $184.99 annually. And the Premium plan now costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per yeara $2 monthly increase.
We have initiated a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to identify the best path forward to unlock the full value of our assets, said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in a separate statement about the companys shifting future.
AEW content remains part of the MAX lineup for now, but its far from an all-inclusive deal. Even with a paid subscription, fans still have to cough up extra money for AEW pay-per-views, which are not bundled into any of the MAX plans.
The timing of this price hike couldnt be worse. Warner Bros. Discovery is still reeling from its decision to reject a $20-per-share buyout from Paramount-Skydance. Now, theyve launched a full strategic review that could lead to major structural changesincluding new ownership. That has left the future of AEWs home on TBS, TNT, and MAX feeling more unstable than ever.
We determined taking these actions to broaden our scope is in the best interest of shareholders, added Warner Bros. Discovery Board Chair Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr.
AEW fans have already been dealing with programming shifts, streaming exclusivity debates, and now a price surge for the platform that hosts their favorite shows. As Warner Bros. Discovery splits into separate entities next year, its unclear how much longer AEW will remain on MAXor what that will cost next time.
With MAX subscription fees rising and no PPVs included, are AEW fans getting shortchanged? Would you rather see AEW strike a new deal elsewhere, or are you sticking with MAX for the long haul? Let us know what you think in the comments.
