With all the streaming services increasing their prices, this was already expected to happen. It looks like Max is joining the club as it tries to squeeze more money out of its customers if they want to keep enjoying a high-resolution experience.
Switch Max Plans for 4K Streaming
Unlike other streaming platforms, Max is not increasing the price of its pre-existing plans. Instead, it has stripped the perks that come with the legacy ad-free plan and added them to a new, more expensive tier.
In the email that customers received, it states that "the price of your subscription will stay the same, but some of your plan features will change. You can still stream all your favorite blockbuster movies, fresh originals, and iconic series."
While the accessible content remains unchanged, the features you enjoy have. Other than losing 4K streaming, the $15.99 a month plan is now limited to streaming with two devices at once, and the number of titles you can download dropped to 30, as per Gizmodo.
The best you can do when it comes to resolution would be Full HD or 1080p. If you want to retain the perks you've gotten used to, you'll have to pony up for a more expensive plan called "Ultimate Ad-Free," which will cost you $19.99 per month.
While it is more expensive, it adds to the legacy ad-free plan. You can stream on four devices all at once, as well as download up to 100 titles for offline watching. When certain titles have the option, you can watch them at 4K Ultra HD resolution with Dolby Atmos audio quality.
The third option would be the cheapest of them all. For $9.99 a month, you can access all of Max's content, as well as watch with two devices at once. The video quality is also capped at Full HD, and you'll be seeing ads every now and then.
Read Also: Disney Plans to Crack Down on Password Sharing
The Streaming Industry Keeps Asking for More
There will come a time when we'll only be able to afford one streaming service at a time with all the price hikes, and that time might be closer than we think. With all the increases, it's getting harder to access the shows and movies we like as they are scattered between various services.
Netflix, for instance, has set an all-time high pricing as it increases its monthly subscription fee yet again. From $19.99, its Premium plan will now cost customers $22.99. The ad-free plan is going up from $9.99 to $11.99 as well.
Even Disney+ is not safe from the price increase as the monthly fee goes from $11 a month to $14. Cord cutters switched to streaming services since it's apparently cheaper and they'll have more control over which content to watch whenever they like.
While there's still freedom in choosing when and where you consume content, the price is no longer lower than cable TV. The Financial Times reports that subscribing to the top streaming services will soon cost people $87 per month.
Related: Netflix Sees Better Profit, Adds New Prices in U.S.
