HBO is no longer free: what are TV providers offering now?
Six months after the launch of HBO Max in Israel, the free access period for HOT and yes subscribers has ended. Cellcom now offers 3 months free, HOT provides discounts, and yes integrates the service into its bundles. We break down which options are currently the most cost-effective.
Six months have passed since the launch of HBO Max in Israel, and the free benefit period for TV providers HOT and yes has concluded. The market has responded with new promotions to retain and attract subscribers. While viewing HBO Max still requires creating a separate account on the HBO Max website, providers are keen to have you bundle the service through them.
Note that these discounts apply only to the standard HBO Max plan (49.90 NIS per month if subscribed directly), which allows viewing on two devices in Full HD with up to 30 downloads. The premium plan (64.90 NIS per month, 4 devices, 4K Ultra HD) is excluded from these promotions.
Cellcom's Offer
Cellcom is offering a triple plan including internet up to 1 Gbps, two decoders, and a Wi-Fi 7 router, with HBO Max Standard free for 3 months. The promotional price is 99 NIS per month for the first quarter. After this period, the cost rises to 169 NIS for the triple plan plus 49.90 NIS for HBO. Other options, such as app-only subscriptions or bundles including TV installment plans, are also available.
What does yes offer?
yes focuses on comprehensive bundles: HBO Max Standard, Netflix Standard, and Disney+ are offered for 253.7 NIS per month, with a promotional price of 99 NIS for the first three months. This is a strong offer for those who use multiple streaming services, though the price increases significantly once the promotion ends. The +yes triple plan does not include free HBO, offering instead a trial month and fixed pricing for 3 years, though equipment and service costs rise over time.
Options from HOT and Partner
HOT offers existing triple-plan customers access to HBO Max Standard for 25 NIS per month for 3 months. New customers may find better deals with free access for the same duration, but the total package cost can reach 248.9 NIS per month once the promotion expires.
Partner TV+ emphasizes flexibility, with app-only plans starting at 59 NIS per month. Adding HBO Max requires an additional payment starting from 49.90 NIS. While Partner is often more expensive than Cellcom in the long run, it remains competitive for those seeking bundles that include Netflix or high-speed internet up to 2.5 Gbps.
