Max Cracking Down on Password Sharing: Cost of Extra Members

It seems like the days of freely sharing passwords on Max are officially behind us. Following in Netflix’s footsteps, HBO’s streaming service has introduced an extra member add-on fee as part of its new U.S. offering today. This new feature allows the primary account holder to invite someone outside their household to create a separate “Extra Member” account under the same subscription, for a fee.

This means that even if your friend or family member doesn’t live with you, they can pay to join your existing Max subscription and enjoy all the great shows on the platform, from intense dramas like “House of the Dragon” and “Succession” to hilarious comedies like “Hacks” and “Veep.”

CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros Discovery, JB Perrette, explained that these new features are designed to offer subscribers greater flexibility and value. The extra member add-on will allow a user outside the primary account holder’s household to create a separate, standalone account with their own login credentials and an adult profile under the same subscription.

In a nutshell, the added member can transfer over a single adult profile, including watch history, recommendations, and settings, to their new Max account, all while enjoying the benefits of the primary account owner’s plan. However, they can only stream from one profile on one device at a time, and the extra member add-on is limited to one individual per account.

So, how much does this extra member feature cost? The add-on fee is $7.99 per month, regardless of the Max subscription tier the eligible user is on. The ad-supported plan costs $9.99 per month, Standard is $16.99 per month, and Premium is $20.99 per month. Keep in mind that bundle subscribers are not eligible for the add-on feature.

If you’re interested in adding an extra member, you can do so directly from the Max subscription settings. Once you’ve purchased the add-on, you can manage the extra member via settings on the web and mobile platforms. It’s worth noting that Max’s extra member add-on costs a dollar more than Netflix’s similar option, but it’s a small price to pay for sharing the streaming love with friends and family.