HBO officially kills Apple TV Channels integration

HBO is officially ending its Apple TV Channel on July 22, prompting users to create an HBO Max account to continue using the service.

The AT&T-owned company first pulled streaming integration with Apple TV channels back in May, but it let existing users retain access to HBO content through the Apple TV app. Now, that grandfathered support appears to be ending.

According to a Reddit user, the HBO channel in the Apple TV app says that full integration for existing users will end on Thursday, July 22. "HBO is ending its channel service on July 22. After that, get HBO Max to continue watching," the message reads.

As of writing, at least one AppleInsider staff member still had access to HBO Channels, so the support revocation is likely server-side and will happen gradually.

The company was one of the first major cable networks to offer integration with Apple TV Channels. However, after the launch of its HBO Max app for Apple TV, iOS, and other platforms, HBO decided to end support.

Apple TV Channels was introduced in 2019 as a single sign-on system for watching content from third-party providers.

Although the HBO Max service is more expensive than subscribing to the network through Apple TV Channels, customers of AT&T may want to check whether they're taking advantage of the free HBO Max offer on certain plans.

13 Comments

jgreg728 8 Years · 113 comments

About 3 years ago

Heyyy thanks for the Reddit shoutout lol. As of right now I still have the subscription running, and it recently renewed on the 20th. Checking my subscription settings, my HBO channel sub does day it'll run until Aug. 20th. So hopefully it'll stay until then. Otherwise, I hope Apple is ready to refund me if it doesn't...

Fidonet127 5 Years · 598 comments

jgreg728 said:

Heyyy thanks for the Reddit shoutout lol. As of right now I still have the subscription running, and it recently renewed on the 20th. Checking my subscription settings, my HBO channel sub does day it'll run until Aug. 20th. So hopefully it'll stay until then. Otherwise, I hope Apple is ready to refund me if it doesn't...

You just need to download the HBO Max app to access your subscription. The only thing to change is HBO is removing their integration with the Apple’s TV Ap.

chadbag 13 Years · 2029 comments

I am not am HBO subscriber and don't plan on it. So humor me. Is there really anything compelling enough to stay on HBO if they want to make you run their app vs the customer friendly Apple TV integration?

Since HBO is basically giving the finger to customers who want the integrated experience instead of each separate app (I assume this breaks the Siri search integration in the Apple TV all in one solution), should customers give the finger back and just drop them?

StrangeDays 8 Years · 12986 comments

(boy I hate those auto loading video popups on stories. Big time)

Bummer about channels. I liked them because they shared with my family members. HBO Max app doesn’t, you have to give them your credentials.

patchythepirate 12 Years · 1254 comments

chadbag said:

I am not am HBO subscriber and don't plan on it. So humor me. Is there really anything compelling enough to stay on HBO if they want to make you run their app vs the customer friendly Apple TV integration?

Since HBO is basically giving the finger to customers who want the integrated experience instead of each separate app (I assume this breaks the Siri search integration in the Apple TV all in one solution), should customers give the finger back and just drop them?

This is all on Apple, for their crappy Apple TV app implementation that makes watching series shows a pain (doesn't keep track of where you left off right, doesn't automatically restart the next video right, etc). I don't understand why Apple can't get something so relatively simple right. I doubt it'd break siri search.

FWIW, I'm really like HBO. It's worth subscribing just for the show Raised by Wolves (amazing sci fi), and of course game of thrones, westworld, true detective, good movie selection, etc.