HBO Max’s password-sharing crackdown is about to get worse
Source: Android Authority
Overview
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is intensifying its crackdown on password sharing for HBO Max. The company announced that enforcement will expand globally and continue into 2026. At the same time, WBD said it will stop reporting HBO Max subscriber numbers, following Netflix’s precedent.
Earnings Call Details
During the fourth‑quarter 2025 earnings call, CEO and President of streaming JB Perrette confirmed that the password‑sharing crackdown is “in the second inning” and will be scaled up worldwide. The announcement coincided with WBD’s plan to launch HBO Max in the UK and Ireland on March 26.
Future Enforcement Plans
- Global rollout: Password‑sharing enforcement will be expanded beyond the United States to other markets.
- 2026 expansion: WBD intends to further increase enforcement measures in 2026, aiming to curb sharing across all regions.
Alternative Offering
To accommodate users who need multiple accounts, HBO Max is promoting an “out‑of‑household” add‑on priced at $7.99 per month.
Subscriber Reporting
WBD will cease publishing separate HBO Max subscriber figures, mirroring Netflix’s decision in early 2025. Despite the lack of public numbers, the company projects 150 million subscribers by the end of the current year.
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