How to Watch HBO Max in the UK

Max is one of the best streaming services across the US and Europe. With a large catalogue of films and TV shows from HBO, DC, Adult Swim, and many more, you can expect to find something great to watch. In 2021 HBO Max started to launch globally and is now available in over 60 countries worldwide. Unfortunately some countries are still waiting to gain access to the Warner Bros Discovery owned behemoth. This is where this guide comes in. 

Using a VPN will give you a safe and smoothest experience of Max wherever you are in the world as well as a larger catalogue on existing streaming services, such as Netflix, by allowing you access to region locked content.

1. Is HBO Max available in the UK?

2. How to watch HBO Max in the UK

3. Save money with HBO Max in the UK

4. Frequently asked questions

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Is Max available in the UK?

Unfortunately we are still yet to see the launch of HBO Max in the UK. Residents still have access to episodes of their favourite shows on-demand thanks to Sky, though the price of a membership is more than double that of HBO Max. Now TV is a cheaper option, with subscriptions costing only £9.99 a month, but that is only for the entertainment package.

According to rumours, viewers will be able to enjoy HBO Max in the UK some time in 2026. It might seem strange as to why the UK is getting the streaming service so late after all other European countries, after researching this it seems like it’s due to rights over exclusivity. Shows like Game of Thrones, Peacemaker and The Last of Us are amongst a few of the shows signed for exclusivity to Sky in the UK. With the exclusivity contracts supposedly due to end in 2025, this would tie in very nicely with a 2026 launch in the UK.

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How to watch Max in the UK 

So how can you get HBO Max in the UK? In order to watch HBO Max in the UK you are going to have to pay more than other countries, nothing in life comes free (except these articles). To access the streaming service, you will need not only a subscription to HBO Max but you will need a VPN. For those of you who don’t know what a VPN is, it’s simple! VPNs are virtual private networks which establish a digital connection between your device and a remote server masking your IP address, encrypting your personal data and giving you access to region locked content. Getting a VPN is your first priority. For this guide, we have used PureVPN, since it is very user friendly and reasonably priced, but the process will be similar with other providers.

Once you have your VPN at the ready, you want to change your region to a country where Max is available, we recommend the USA for this. To do this, find the ‘locations’ tab on your app and click ‘United States’.

If your VPN is already running, you might be faced with this screen. Do not be alarmed, this just means if you continue to open new pages without first establishing a connection you are at risk. Click yes, wait for your VPN to establish a connection, then open the Max website on the same device.

It’s now time to purchase your HBO Max subscription. There are 3 plans available with Max; with ads for $9.99, ad-free for $15.99 and ultimate ad-free for $19.99 which allows 4k streaming. Personally, I didn’t find Max’s ad experience too intrusive, with only 60 seconds of mid-roll ads opposed to Netflix who run a massive 4 minutes of ads, but if you don’t think you can manage that then pay the extra $5!

Once you have finished your sign-up, with your VPN still turned on, go to the HBO Max login page and enter your details. You are now ready to enjoy Max in the UK on any devices you have your VPN installed on. Just don’t forget to switch your VPN location back to the UK once you have finished watching to stop any issues with your regular internet antics.

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Save money with Max 

Not only does using VPN to access HBO Max in the UK give you access to unmissable shows, but it can save you money whilst doing so. Since a large chunk of HBO content is shown across Sky Atlantic and Sky Cinema, for the most part, there is no reason to have them both!

Sky costs way more and requires additional memberships to gain access to movies and kids channels such as cartoon network, whereas HBO Max have movies, entertainment and kids in one bundle with the option of a sports bundle available at an additional price. Though you may find yourself having to subscribe to more streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ to get the full Sky like experience, but you probably already have those and it still seems to work out a little cheaper than sky if you do not.

You can even stream HBO Max to your television using VPN. With Firestick or an Apple TV box, it possible to watch your favourite series right from the couch by installing your VPN directly from the app store.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What’s the difference between Max and HBO max?

Here is a fun F.A.Q… The answer? Absolutely nothing! The HBO Max streaming service is a rebrand of Max, which was a rebrand of HBO Max. Why did they change the name so many times? To confuse us of course. HBO Max costs exactly the same price as Max did and includes the same catalogue of must watch titles like Game of Thrones, House of Dragon, Sopranos and even Dune. It can even be accessed using your same login details.

Will using a VPN affect my broadband?

No, using a VPN will not affect anything directly with your broadband. However, you may see a slight change in bandwidth speed when using your VPN to access region locked content, this is unfortunately unavoidable.

Will a VPN work on all region locked content?

A VPN should work on all region locked content, although some apps will detect you are using a VPN and become temporarily unavailable. I have mostly had this problem with Netflix, but this is easily avoided by watching on a browser. I am however yet to experience this issue on PureVPN, which is one of the many reasons we recommend it to you!

Are movies and shows on Max different based on country?

Unfortunately, yes. Although, it is very simple to change the location of your VPN to access all the different catalogues. We simply chose to prompt you to use the USA version of HBO Max in the UK since it has the largest catalogue and you will not run into any issues with language barriers. Most of your favourite shows remain the same but if you want to experience your favourite episodes of Game of Thrones in Danish, I invite you to do so!

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Conclusion

Max, has a large catalogue of TV shows and movies from comedy to drama. Using a VPN is not only a great way to watch Max in the UK but other region locked content too. most VPN’s are quick to setup, and have little to no difference in bandwidth speed – plus a VPN will keep you safe online. Hopefully this method tides you over until we finally see the launch of HBO Max in the UK in 2026, we will update this article when we hear any news.

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