HBO Max cracks down on password sharing, now globally
Despite an uncertain future for Warner's streaming service, HBO Max is entering second phase of its crackdown on account sharing. This will be expanded in 2026.
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The streaming service HBO Max, which recently became available in German-speaking countries, intends to tighten its measures against password sharing. Similar to competitors Netflix and Disney+, users will be prompted to create additional (paid) user accounts. However, the future of HBO Max remains uncertain. The streaming service belongs to Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). This media conglomerate is up for sale, and there is currently a bidding war between Netflix and Paramount Skydance (PSKY).
Netflix is considered the favorite for the acquisition. PSKY aims to take over the entire WBD conglomerate, but Paramount's bid could not convince Warner Bros. Discovery. The WBD board had already concluded a sales agreement for Warner Bros. with Netflix and wishes to continue operating Discovery as an independent entity. Most recently, PSKY resorted to drastic measures, as the rejected Paramount has now sued Warner Bros. Discovery. Both bidders have their streaming services, so it is unclear whether content or HBO Max will be fully integrated into the service of the highest bidder after the acquisition.
HBO Max is also growing thanks to global expansion
But HBO Max itself continues to grow, as WBD announced on the occasion of the latest business figures. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the streaming service gained 3.5 million subscribers worldwide and now has a total of 131.6 million users. By the end of 2026, the media group expects 150 million subscribers. The growth is likely due to global expansion. In mid-January, HBO Max launched in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.
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In the USA, HBO Max has been more aggressively combating account sharing since mid-2025, The Verge reported at the time. Users are frequently prompted to pay an additional $8 per month for adding another user to the account. This approach is being expanded globally, as WBD's streaming chief JB Perrette explained during the discussion of the latest business figures this week.
Global action against password sharing
“We are in the second phase of our password sharing enforcement measures. These measures are just beginning to be rolled out broadly,” said Perrette. “A global rollout has not yet occurred. That will only happen in 2026.” This means that international HBO subscribers will also be reminded from time to time in the future that sharing streaming credentials violates the terms of service.
These prompts are common with other streaming services. Netflix began curbing password sharing three years ago, and since the beginning of 2024, Disney+ passwords can no longer be shared in the US.
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