Finally, we can watch our favorite Discovery, Food Network, AFN, TLC, and HGTV shows on the go and even without a cable TV subscription.
If you were an HBO Go subscriber, you’re already on HBO Max! Yesterday, Nov. 19, all existing HBO Go subscriptions automatically became HBO Max subscriptions. What does that mean?
Let’s start with a little bit of context. HBO Go, the brand’s older streaming option, was launched in the Philippines in October 2022. It carried HBO’s signature shows, the usual steady rotation of old and new movies, including those that were once shown on its Asia-only channel Red by HBO (which I sorely miss).
HBO Max is the deluxe version of HBO Go. It’s an expansion of HBO’s cable library, making it more competitive against rivals Netflix and Disney Plus. After a long wait, HBO Max is now available in five Southeast Asian territories, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and here in the Philippines, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan. As a streaming junkie, I’ve long waited for this moment when HBO Max finally replaces the more content-limited and lower tech HBO Go.
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More viewing options
With HBO Max, more viewing choices with other familiar brands including Discovery, TLC, AFN (Asian Food Network), Food Network, ID, and HGTV. HBO Go staples like Harry Potter, Cartoon Network, and the DC Universe are all there, as expected.
I used to subscribe to the short-lived Discovery+ app until it was discontinued in April 2023 after only a little over a year. I love documentaries and history, science, and cooking shows, so when the streaming site ceased operations, I got a wee bit sad.
That’s why yesterday, as soon as I migrated my HBO Go account to HBO Max, I browsed the collection right away and here’s what I found.
HBO Go subscribers would find pretty much the same content, led by the new series Dune Prophecy which premiered only last Nov. 12, two days before Go became Max. Other fresh HBO Max series that you can now binge-watch are Penguin and The Franchise. There are, of course, the hugely popular ones like House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, Succession, and True Detective. Old-time favorites Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, Rome, The Sopranos, Friends, and Gossip Girl are also waiting to be binge-watched all over again.
I’m pleasantly surprised that HBO Max seems to have beefed up its roster of original Asian content. There are more Korean dramas now, with well loved classics such as Secret Garden, The Heirs, 18 Again, Sky Castle, and Pinocchio, and more J-doramas like An Incurable Case of Love and Grand Maison Tokyo.
Anime lovers will also be pleased to know that HBO Max has quite an impressive number of anime series that rivals those on Netflix. There’s Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, One Punch Man, Hunter x Hunter, Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo Revengers, Assassination Classroom, Chainsaw Man, and so much more.
HBO Max carries Discovery favorites such as my favorite Expedition Unknown, Man vs Wild with Bear Grylls, the Naked and Afraid series, a slew of science- and history-themed shows and documentaries including the ones from ID (Investigation Discovery). I have to admit I’m a bit disappointed, though, that there are only a measly two out of 14 seasons of Expedition Unknown included. My Discovery+ subscription had all episodes plus the spinoff series Legendary Locations. Oh well.
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Reality show fans will be thrilled with TLC’s lineup of shows, which includes 90-Day Fiance, 1000-lb Sisters, Say Yes to the Dress, The Bachelor, and Dr. Pimple Popper. I have to admit I’ve never watched a single episode of an HGTV show ever, but upon checking the catalog, I saw familiar titles such as House Hunters and Property Brothers.
What I was most excited about was AFN and Food Network. We had our 12-decade-old cable subscription terminated two months ago because we hardly watched TV anymore, aside from those two channels and a few newsy ones like CNA and NHK, which served as my background whenever I worked.
I’m really happy that I can now watch some of my favorite shows on those two foodie brands again. For AFN, there are the newer shows like The Streets with Dan Hong and Sour, Salty, and Alive, as well as trusted series from well-known chefs Adam Liaw, Luke Nguyen, and Martin Yan. It’s nice that not-so-popular titles (but highly recommended ones!) like Old Taste Detective and My Taste of Hong Kong also made it to the roster. Just like Expedition Unknown, though, I wish HBO Max didn’t scrimp on the number of seasons available.
Food Network has a bit more titles, which include old reliables such as those presented by Ina Garten, Giada de Laurentiis, and Bobby Flay. I enjoy watching Selena + Chef, but sadly, only season four is available, together with the spinoffs Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays and Selena + Restaurant.
The newest kid on the AFN block is Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, starring James and Oliver Phelps, best known for their roles as Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films. The twins take on hosting duties as pairs of professional bakers create spellbinding edible showpieces on the sets where the wildly popular films were made. They are actually here in the Philippines to promote their newest show!
Affordable plans
If you’re thinking of subscribing, I guess you’re in one of the best countries to do so, as the Philippines and Indonesia have the streaming platform’s first-ever lower-cost, mobile-only subscription plan. Here at home, plans start with the Mobile plan, which is at P149/P1040 (month/annual) for streaming on one mobile device with standard HD video resolution. It has a max of 15 downloads so you can watch on the go and as its name suggests, you can only watch on mobile and tablet.
The Standard plan, meanwhile, is at P269/P1890 (month/annual) and will let you stream on two devices at once with full HD video resolution. It allows 30 downloads, and you can watch Max on your telly.
Finally, the whole fam can go for the Ultimate plan which is at P399/P2790, (month/annual) which will let you stream on four devices at once with 4k UHD and Dolby Atmos where available. You can go up to 100 downloads on more devices including TVs.
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