Warner Bros. Discovery to Restrict HBO Max Password Sharing Starting in 2025

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced plans to curtail password sharing on HBO Max beginning September 2025, a measure designed to bolster the streaming service’s revenue. The announcement, made during the company’s recent second-quarter earnings call by head of streaming and gaming JB Perrette, represents a significant shift in strategy for HBO Max, moving away from prior promotional campaigns that encouraged account sharing—a practice previously embraced by competitors like Netflix and Disney+.

The move is anticipated to contribute to increased profitability, though financial benefits are not projected until 2026. Despite its current popularity, with critically acclaimed original series such as The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, and Peacemaker alongside a robust library of films and television programs, HBO Max faces subscriber backlash already surfacing on social media platforms.

The timing of the password crackdown has drawn particular scrutiny from users who also noted the recent removal of Cartoon Network content from the platform, with alternative viewing options currently available through services like Hulu (in the US) and Stan (in Australia). While Warner Bros. Discovery remains focused on expanding its theatrical releases featuring established intellectual property including franchises like Batman, Superman, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, alongside titles such as The Fugitive, The Goonies, Gremlins, and Practical Magic, the password sharing policy change has triggered concerns among a segment of HBO Max’s subscriber base.