HBO Max cuts annual subscription prices up to 40%

HBO Max has launched a significant discount on annual subscription plans, offering savings of up to 40 percent for new and returning U.S. subscribers. The promotion began on Thursday, June 18, and will run through July 15, timed to coincide with the highly anticipated return of "House of the Dragon" for its third season this weekend.

The limited-time offer applies to all three subscription tiers: Basic with Ads, Standard, and Premium. To receive the discount, customers must commit to a full year of service, paying upfront. The deal is not available for monthly subscriptions. The promotional annual rates are $78.99 for Basic with Ads, $132.99 for Standard, and $164.99 for Premium. After the first year, subscriptions will revert to the standard annual rates.

The offer is available through HBOMax.com, Amazon's Prime Video Subscriptions, and the Roku Channel. The streaming service, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, is leveraging its summer programming slate to attract subscribers. The third season of "House of the Dragon," the "Game of Thrones" prequel, premieres on Sunday, June 21. The season will consist of eight episodes, airing weekly through August 9.