Warner Bros. Discovery announced that HBO Max will extend its ban on password sharing globally in 2026, according to a report by The Wrap cited in sources. The decision was made in connection with the company's latest quarterly report.
HBO Max reportedly plans to determine whether a viewer is legitimate and allow account holders to add viewers outside the household in exchange for an extra fee. S. at the end of last year, where users pay $8 per month for an extra household.
Warner Bros. Discovery also announced that it will stop reporting exact subscriber numbers going forward, similar to competitor Netflix. According to reports, HBO Max has been planning to prevent password sharing for nearly two years, with measures taking a long time to implement.
The sources indicate that HBO Max is likely to be absorbed by Paramount Plus and disappear as a standalone service, with Netflix reportedly withdrawing from a deal to acquire Warner Bros. and HBO Max, leaving Paramount as the winner.