Remember When HBO Max Wasn’t on Roku? A Guide to Devices and the Streaming Services They Carry
When HBO Max launched last year, it was only available on a select few devices — and made headlines every time the corporate powers that be struck deals with some of the most popular streaming platforms throughout the rest of the year, until it finally arrived on Roku that December.
Corporate dealmaking doesn’t usually make such an immediate difference in most people’s everyday lives, but the ability to stream “Friends” as you fall asleep was important enough that there were even single-serve websites dedicated to the availability of HBO Max on Roku.
But with mega-popular properties including “Hacks,” “Friends,” “The Office,” “What If…?” “Star Wars,” and more all available on different streaming services, it’s important to know that you’ll be able to access all your subscriptions when you buy a new device. We’ve put together a list of which devices will allow you to access the most popular streaming services, so you won’t run into trouble next time you want to watch something specific.
Hulu
Subscription: Plans start at $5.99/month until October 8, when they go up $1; bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $12.99/month ($13.99 a month after October 8).
Highlights: Not only does Hulu have its own original programming (including series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Nine Perfect Strangers,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” and films “Palm Springs,” “Happiest Season,” “Vacation Friends,” and “Run”), but it also has a specialized hub for corporate sibling FX’s streaming-only originals, FX on Hulu (“American Horror Story: Double Feature,” “Mrs. America,” “Devs,” “A Teacher”), and is home to the most recent episodes of broadcast shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Wonder Years” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” and “Prodigal Son.”
Availability: For specific model availability, visit Hulu’s site, but in general, the latest Hulu app is available on Android phones and tablets, select models of Android TV, 4th generation or later Apple TV, Chromecast, Echo Show, Fire Tablets, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, iPhones and iPads, select models of LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC browsers/apps, PlayStation, select models of Roku, select models of Samsung TV, VIZIO SmartCast TVs, Xbox, and streaming capabilities are available on Xfinity Flex Streaming TV Box, Xfinity X1 TV Boxes, and PlayStation 3 all without live TV. The classic Hulu app is available on Apple TV (4th generation and later), select models of LG TVs and Blu-ray players, select models of Roku and Roku Stick, select models of Samsung TVs and Blu-ray players, select models of Sony TVs and Blu-ray players, TiVo, and select models of VIZIO TVs.
HBO Max
Subscription: $14.99/month, or $69.99 for six months
Highlights: Well, you can’t beat being able to stream every new 2021 Warner Bros. release from the comfort of your couch (for a one-month period), including “Cry Macho,” “Malignant” and other major tentpoles like “Many Saints of Newark,” “Matrix 4” and “Dune.” You also get access to all of HBO’s content, plus originals including DC Comics’ “Doom Patrol,” Spanish import “Veneno,” “The Fight Attendant,” “Hacks,” “Mare of Easttown” and “White Lotus.”
Availability: Most phones and tablets, plus Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Roku, Samsung TV (2016 models and later), Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, Xfinity X1 and Flex, plus Chromecast and AirPlay 2.
Disney+
Subscription: $7.99/month or $79.99/year
Highlights: Pretty much every Disney, Marvel, and “Star Wars” movie, plus catalogs of National Geographic, Disney Channel, and more content. It’s the official streaming home of “The Simpsons” and Studio Ghibli, and has its own high-profile originals including the new Marvel series (“WandaVision,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki”), “The Mandalorian” and the upcoming “Star Wars” series, along with movies such as “Luca,” “Jungle Cruise,” “Cruella,” and much more.
Availability: Most browsers, mobile devices, and tablets, plus Android TV Devices, LG WebOS Smart TVs, Samsung Tizen Smart TVs, Amazon FireTV, Apple AirPlay, Apple TV (4th Generation and later), Chromebook, Chromecast, Roku, Sony PlayStation, Xbox, Vizio SmartCast TV. Visit here for more specifics.
Paramount+
Subscription: $4.99 per month
Highlights: To start, it’s the streaming home of the “Star Trek” TV universe. It’s also home to classic content from CBS and Viacom properties, from “Survivor” to MTV’s “The Challenge” and many, many shows in between. Paramount+ originals also include the well-reviewed “The Good Fight,” “The Stand,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Star Trek: Lower Deck,” the “iCarly” reboot, and more.
Availability: Watch Paramount+ on supported devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Portal TV, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, Xfinity Flex, Xbox, PlayStation 4.
Showtime
Subscription: $9.99/month
Highlights: All of Showtime’s original programming, from hits like “Shameless,” “Billions,” “Dexter,” and “Homeland” to smaller gems like “The Good Lord Bird,” “City on a Hill,” “The Chi,” “The Affair,” and more. Don’t forget late-night delight “Desus and Mero.”
Availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LG Smart TVs, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, XBOX One, and more. Visit here for specifics.
