News > Streaming HBO Max Will Get an Ad-Supported Tier It costs $10 and won’t have same day theater releases By Joshua Hawkins Joshua Hawkins Twitter Freelance Technology Reporter Full Sail University Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 20, 2021 04:33PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Twitter University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming HBO Max will offer a new ad-supported tier for subscribers starting in June that only costs $10, down from the $15 cost of the normal subscription. WarnerMedia announced the plans to launch the new tier on Wednesday, also revealing a new original series, as well as content premieres. While a $10 streaming plan undoubtedly will appeal to many, the lower cost does come with some drawbacks. Notably, Arstechnica reports that the lower-tier plan will not include HBO’s same-day theater premieres, which will include simultaneous launches of movies like Dune, The Matrix 4, and The Suicide Squad later in the year. WarnerMedia The company has, however, revealed that HBO Max will provide a lighter ad load than other streaming services that use advertisements. "HBO Max with Ads provides a superior marketing environment, featuring the lightest ad load in the streaming industry, driving engagement with consumers and efficacy for our partners," JP Colaco, head of advertising sales for WarnerMedia, said in the announcement. In the press release, Warner detailed three examples of how it will implement advertising into HBO Max content. First, there will be brand blocks, which allow a brand to own a block of content. This will most likely be similar to the sponsorship introductions you might see on some YouTube videos, where it basically says, "this episode is brought to you by such and such brand." The company revealed in the original announcement that HBO Max will provide a lighter ad load than other streaming services that use advertisements. HBO also plans to add in pause ads that appear when you have an episode or movie paused, as well as branded discovery, which will add an advertisement to the discovery area in the application. HBO Max with Ads will arrive during the first week of June, though Warner has not revealed an exact date at this time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up! Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit