AT&T reveals price rises of up to $20 a month in ‘crackdown’ on free HBO Max subscriptions – see if yours is on the list

AT&T is upping the prices of older unlimited wireless plans – many of which included free Max subscriptions.

These plans can't currently be bought, but you might still be using one if you're an long-time customer.

AT&T revealed the news in a blog post, warning that prices would rise by either $10 or $20 depending on your plan.

And you've got just weeks until the new pricing kicks in.

"We’re increasing the monthly charge on most of our retired unlimited wireless plans," AT&T explained.

"This change will allow us to provide additional benefits to your plan and continue to deliver the great wireless service you expect.

"Starting in August 2024, you’ll see the relevant price change reflected on your August bill."

Many of these plans include free Max (formerly HBO Max).

This popular streaming service is one of the biggest rivals to Netflix and Disney+.

Ad-free HBO max normally costs $16.99 a month, while the with-ads version is cheaper at $9.99.

So some customers may feel like they're losing value-for-money with the new price rises.

GOING UP!

The list of plans being affected is as follows:

• AT&T Unlimited & More Premium
• AT&T Unlimited Choice Enhanced
• AT&T Unlimited & More
• AT&T Unlimited Choice II
• AT&T Unlimited Plus
• AT&T Unlimited Choice
• AT&T Unlimited Plan
• AT&T Unlimited Plus Enhanced
• AT&T Unlimited Value Plan
• AT&T Unlimited Plan (with TV)

If you have a single line on those plans then the cost rises by $10 a month, or $20 if you're using multiple lines.

The $20 is an overall increase, not per line, according to AT&T.

But AT&T says it's not all bad news – there are some benefits being thrown in if you stay on your current plan.

"The good news is your plan isn’t going away," AT&T said.

"You’ll be getting added high-speed data and hotspot data.

HOW TO CANCEL

Here's AT&T's advice for if you want to cancel...

We understand that you may want to cancel your wireless service and we can assist you in reviewing your account. Call us at 800.331.0500 to discuss your cancellation options.

Have an installment plan on one of your devices?

"And you can continue to enjoy your existing benefits, including unlimited talk, text, and data in and between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and AT&T ActiveArmorSM mobile security."

Here are the specifics, according to AT&T:

• AT&T Unlimited Choice, Choice II, Choice Enhanced, Unlimited &More, and Unlimited Value plans will now include 75GB of high-speed data and 30GB of hotspot data.
• AT&T Unlimited Plus, Plus Enhanced, Unlimited &More Premium, and AT&T Unlimited (with TV) plans will now include 100GB of high-speed data and 60GB of hotspot data.

MAXED OUT?

Experts say the move may be linked to HBO Max.

Streaming news site Cordcutters News described it as AT&T "cracking down on the free Max subscription".

AT&T previously owned WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.).

And HBO – along with its Max subscription service – was part of WarnerMedia.

This change will allow us to provide additional benefits to your plan and continue to deliver the great wireless service you expect.

But in 2022, the deal to spin off Warner Media in a merger with Discovery Inc. meant that AT&T lost control of HBO.

The details of AT&T's deal with Warner Bros. Discovery isn't public, but experts think it may be linked to the price rises.