How to get HBO Max for free if you're an AT&T customer on certain plans

• WarnerMedia's new streaming service, HBO Max, launched on Wednesday for $14.99 per month.
• But AT&T, which purchased Time Warner in 2018, is offering some of its customers the service for free.
• Customers with plans that include Unlimited Elite, Internet 1000, and more can get HBO Max at no extra cost.
• AT&T offers different deals for those on most other plans, it said.

WarnerMedia's new Netflix competitor, HBO Max, launched on Wednesday for free for millions of AT&T customers.

AT&T, which purchased Time Warner in 2018, is offering HBO Max at no extra cost to customers with the following plans:

• Unlimited Elite (wireless)
• Internet 1000
• AT&T TV Now Max
• DirecTV Premier
• U-verse U400, U450
• AT&T TV Premier, which launches after HBO Max

AT&T is offering different deals, ranging from a free month to a free year, for customers on most other plans, it said. Customers can check if they are eligible at the MyAT&T app.

HBO Max's other distribution partners include Apple, Cox, Google Play, Hulu, Optimum, Samsung Smart TV, Spectrum, Suddenlink, VerizonFios, YouTube TV, and select independent cable, broadband and telco providers through the NCTC, including WOW!, Atlantic Broadband, RCN and MCTV. Current HBO subscribers can immediately transition over to Max if they use these platforms. Those who sign up directly for HBO Max can access Max through these for $14.99 per month.

The service is not yet available on Roku and Amazon platforms, or for Comcast customers.

Other recent streaming services have pushed similar deals to gain subscribers at launch.

Verizon offered some customers a free year of Disney Plus, which launched in November and costs $6.99 a month. Apple offered anyone who bought a new Apple product a free year of Apple TV Plus, which also launched in November. T-Mobile is offering a free year of Quibi, the new mobile-only streaming service, to customers with unlimited family plans and the service also offers a 90-day free trial.

Disney recently announced that Disney Plus had passed 54.5 million subscribers, meaning it's already outpacing the company's own goal of having 60 million to 90 million subscribers by 2024. It's unknown how many subscribers Apple TV Plus has, but Apple CEO Tim Cook said in January that the service was "off to a rousing start" (though it has little content compared to its competitors).