topic Re: HBO app in What's On

HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:07:52 GMT

I downloaded the HBO app with adds with sky,but I find I cannot watch any of the latest films it states access denied .I have to pay a subscription to watch .is this correct when it stated the app was free with sky subscription .

Re: HBO app

caesarome — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:43:16 GMT

@Ladytoad

Have you activated HBO:

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-marketplace-subscribe-to-hbo-max

Can you then view it via your Sky Q box, Sky Stream or Glass TV service ?

Re: HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:47:39 GMT

yes I have activated the HBO app on both my tv on sky q I can access the programs but not the latest films and my subscription is in my bill .

Re: HBO app

ozsat — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:50:42 GMT

The "Basic with ads" version says "Not all movies included (Excludes movies that first stream on HBO Max following their theatrical release window)."

Is that your issue?

@Ladytoad wrote:
yes I have activated the HBO app on both my tv on sky q I can access the programs but not the latest films and my subscription is in my bill .

v

Re: HBO app

nigea99 — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:56:15 GMT

@Ladytoad wrote:

yes I have activated the HBO app on both my tv on sky q I can access the programs but not the latest films and my subscription is in my bill .

v

hi @Ladytoad

Unfortunately, this is correct - the base subscription that is included with SKy does not include some content. (as per @ozsat 's response)

You can upgrade to other tiers which include this content.

See :

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-TV/Your-Sky-TV-just-got-even-bigger-with-HBO-Max/ba-p/5238813

Although note (as per the article) the lowest tier that includes the additional content - 'Standard witrh Ads' is not currently available via SKY

Re: HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:59:35 GMT

thankyou for the info ,so a app what you cannot watch all ,the programs I'm interested in then I won't be able to watch .seems a pointless app then,you pay to sky and yet they give you an app where all the content isn't available unless I pay extra on top of the amount I already pay .a bit backhanded that .thankyou .

HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:02:01 GMT

thankyou all for the replys ,you have been very informative and helpful .thankyou all .

Re: HBO app

MarkGoldsmith — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:16:08 GMT

@Ladytoad wrote:
thankyou for the info ,so a app what you cannot watch all ,the programs I'm interested in then I won't be able to watch .seems a pointless app then,you pay to sky and yet they give you an app where all the content isn't available unless I pay extra on top of the amount I already pay .a bit backhanded that .thankyou .

@Ladytoad thats a decision that has been taken by WDB ( who own and operate HBO Max) rather than Sky. There is a period where new movies aren't available on the lowest subscription tier of the service, so you either need to upgrade to watch them or wait for them to move the film to the free tier.

Re: HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:20:38 GMT

thankyou for your reply ,thought I was signing for the full app not a part app ,I could always get rid of sky and just pay for the apps ,it's getting more and more your getting less for the price you pay ..

Re: HBO app

Timelord2018 — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:42:16 GMT

@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@Ladytoad wrote:
thankyou for the info ,so a app what you cannot watch all ,the programs I'm interested in then I won't be able to watch .seems a pointless app then,you pay to sky and yet they give you an app where all the content isn't available unless I pay extra on top of the amount I already pay .a bit backhanded that .thankyou .
@Ladytoad thats a decision that has been taken by WDB ( who own and operate HBO Max) rather than Sky. There is a period where new movies aren't available on the lowest subscription tier of the service, so you either need to upgrade to watch them or wait for them to move the film to the free tier.

But is it though

There isn't 2 ads tier anywhere else.

Even hbomax.com you have select "See More Monthly Plans" to even see HBO Max basic with ads option

Re: HBO app

TimmyBGood — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:45:16 GMT

@Ladytoad wrote:

they give you an app where all the content isn't available unless I pay extra on top of the amount I already pay

It's the business model chosen by Warner Bros Discovery Ltd (soon to be Paramount Warners), not a decision by Sky Group (a division of the Comcast Corporation)

Having said that, everyone involved is in business to make money rather than give content away for free no matter how much we might prefer it.

Re: HBO app

Timelord2018 — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:46:26 GMT

Considering these new movies are on Sky Cinema for 12 months or so, Sky are hardly going want to include them with their Entertainment package as standard are they.

Re: HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:57:17 GMT

well time to move then ,Tele is my only choice when at home there is no other communication but the Tele ,being on low income it hard to keep paying extra .we all get old

Re: HBO app

mr.tickle — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:25:49 GMT

@Timelord2018 wrote:
Considering these new movies are on Sky Cinema for 12 months or so, Sky are hardly going want to include them with their Entertainment package as standard are they.

Indeed. It's clear that the reason for this new tier existing suits both businesses.

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/hbo-max-launching-uk-sky/
Sky subscribers get the Basic with Ads tier. That’s the £4.99 option with adverts and, notably, without the newest blockbuster films that premiere on the service after their theatrical window.
You also can’t download anything for offline viewing on that tier (in fact, it almost sounds like the ‘Basic’ £4.99 tier was invented for Sky customers’ sake, to differentiate it from the ‘Standard’ £5.99 tier).

Re: HBO app

Ladytoad — Mon, 04 May 2026 11:08:03 GMT

when I received an email from sky it stated see all the latest movies with HBO .that's why I downloaded the app on phone and TV .thankyou

Re: HBO app

mr.tickle — Mon, 04 May 2026 11:24:08 GMT

@Ladytoad wrote:
when I received an email from sky it stated see all the latest movies with HBO .that's why I downloaded the app on phone and TV .thankyou

Fair enough. And yes, the higher tier of HBO offers "all the latest movies" in the same way that paying extra for Sky Cinema offers the exact same set of latest movies (and others on top). There are pretty much zero movies in the locked-out part of the HBO app that aren't included in those Sky Cinema channels.

I'm sure the wording of the promotional email was carefully crafted.

Edit to add: On the other hand, there are movies in the free tier of the HBO app which aren't available elsewhere. I've been wanting to see "Barry Lyndon" (a Stanley Kubric film) for many years, and struggled to find it - it's on there.