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HBO Max’s reported Black Friday 2025 promotion offered the Basic with Ads plan for $2.99 a month for 12 months—about $36 before tax instead of approximately $131.88 at the then-regular $10.99 monthly price. That worked out to roughly 73% off, but the offer reportedly ended on December 1, 2025. No 2026 Black Friday offer is verified in the available information, so this should be treated as a historical deal rather than a current promotion.
What the 2025 deal included
| Detail | Reported offer |
|---|---|
| Service | HBO Max, formerly branded Max during part of the relevant period |
| Plan | Basic with Ads |
| Promotional price | $2.99 per month |
| Promotional term | 12 months |
| Total before tax | $35.88, generally advertised as $36 |
| Regular-price comparison | Approximately $10.99 per month, or $131.88 for 12 months |
| Approximate savings | $95.88, or about 73% |
| Reported end date | December 1, 2025 |
The price calculation is straightforward: $2.99 multiplied by 12 equals $35.88, while $10.99 multiplied by 12 equals $131.88. The exact savings can vary with taxes, price changes and the terms attached to a particular signup route.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Google Play gift code | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Paramount+ $25 eGift Card - Standard | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo - Classic | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Netflix Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Coverage reported that the offer was available directly through HBO Max and, in some cases, as a Hulu or Prime Video add-on. Those versions should not automatically be assumed to have identical eligibility, billing or cancellation terms. The live offer page—not the headline price alone—controls.
The reported 2025 promotion was materially different from similar $2.99 offers in 2023 and 2024, which were described as lasting only six months. Those promotions should not be combined.
#1 Best Overall
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- New finds, old favorites, one card. Choose a unique gift card design featuring your favorite games or apps. This card can also be used for anything else on Google Play. There’s something for everyone, so find what’s yours. Go Play.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
Why it was one of the stronger streaming deals
Calling it “one of the best” is an editorial judgment, not a universal ranking. By three useful measures—discount size, length and total cost—the promotion was unusually competitive. Subscribers received a full year of access for about $36, rather than having to renew after a one- or two-month introductory period.
For comparison, reported Black Friday 2025 streaming promotions included:
| Service | Reported promotion | How it differed |
|---|---|---|
| HBO Max Basic with Ads | $2.99/month for 12 months | One-year term; ads included |
| Hulu with Ads | $0.99/month for 12 months | Lower total price |
| Disney+/Hulu bundle | $60 for one year | Two services in one bundle |
| Peacock Premium | $1.99/month for six months | Lower monthly price but shorter term |
| Apple TV+ | $5.99/month for six months | Ad-free service with a shorter promotion |
| Paramount+ | $3/month for two months | Much shorter promotional period |
Hulu was cheaper in absolute terms, and a bundle could offer more combined programming. Max’s advantage was the combination of a long discounted term and access to HBO originals, Warner Bros. films and Discovery programming. It was not automatically the best choice for every household.
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What the discounted plan offered
According to Max’s U.S. plan documentation, the Basic with Ads tier included streaming on two devices at once and Full HD, or 1080p, resolution. It provided access to the Max catalog subject to title and regional availability, with advertising during supported programming.
The deal did not turn the ad-supported tier into the premium plan. Depending on the plan structure and offer terms in effect, higher tiers added features such as downloads, four simultaneous streams, 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos on eligible content. Plan names, prices and benefits can change, so current subscribers should consult the latest official plan page rather than rely on an old deal article.
Rank #2
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
The biggest catches
It included ads
The promotion applied to Basic with Ads. Anyone expecting an ad-free HBO experience could find the deal disappointing, particularly when watching films or prestige dramas.
It lacked premium features
Viewers seeking 4K, Dolby Atmos, more simultaneous streams or substantial offline-download capability needed to compare the higher tiers. The $2.99 price was attractive partly because it applied to a lower-feature plan.
Eligibility was not universal
Promotional streaming offers commonly limit eligibility to new subscribers and selected returning subscribers. The exact rules can depend on whether an account is active, when it was last canceled and where the subscription is purchased. Reports on the 2025 offer did not establish one universal eligibility rule for every route.
Existing subscribers, former HBO Max customers and people receiving Max through a cable, mobile, internet or streaming bundle should check the checkout terms before changing anything. Canceling a current subscription could also mean losing a grandfathered price or bundled access.
The subscription could renew at the regular price
The $2.99 rate was temporary. Max’s support guidance explains that promotional pricing can end and that the subscription may then renew at the current applicable rate. Set a calendar reminder several days before the promotional term ends, then review the billing date and renewal price.
Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Max subscriptions generally renew automatically until canceled. The relevant cancellation deadline is before the next billing date, not necessarily the final day on which the service can be watched.
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A subscription purchased through Hulu, Prime Video Channels, Apple, Roku or another provider may be billed and managed by that provider rather than directly by Max. Canceling inside the Max app may not cancel a partner-billed subscription.
Max’s provider guidance explains how to identify the billing company from the account’s Subscription section. Save the confirmation email or a screenshot of the offer terms, including the provider, promotional end date and renewal price.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who would have benefited most?
The offer was a good fit for viewers who planned to use Max regularly for several months, wanted HBO and Warner Bros. programming, could tolerate advertising and were comfortable monitoring the eventual renewal. A full year at about $36 made more sense for a regular viewer than repeatedly subscribing for individual shows.
It was a weaker fit for people who dislike ads, want 4K or Dolby Atmos, need only one or two shows, already had Max through a bundle or would not remember to cancel before the promotional term ended. Someone seeking the lowest possible streaming bill could also have preferred Hulu’s reported $0.99 monthly promotion or a multi-service bundle.
Rank #4
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
How the direct signup process worked
For a direct subscription, Max’s documented process was:
- Go to max.com/product.
- Choose the available plan and billing period.
- Sign in or create an account with an email address.
- Add a payment method.
- Review the promotional term, renewal price and billing provider before confirming.
Because the 2025 promotion has expired, the current product page should not be assumed to show the historical $2.99 price. If a future promotion appears through Hulu or Prime Video, verify that it specifies the same plan and 12-month term before subscribing.
Bottom line
HBO Max’s reported Black Friday 2025 offer was one of the strongest mainstream streaming promotions of that shopping season for viewers willing to accept ads: approximately $36 for a full year of the Basic with Ads plan, compared with about $131.88 at the then-regular price. Its value depended on the long term, the catalog and the large discount—not on premium picture or sound features.
But the deal ended on December 1, 2025, and no 2026 offer is verified here. The most important lesson for any similar promotion is to confirm the tier, eligibility, billing provider and post-promotion renewal price before signing up.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSources: 2025 streaming-deal comparison; Max plan and provider guidance; Max signup instructions; Max promotional pricing and renewal guidance; earlier six-month promotion coverage.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
