Cinemax Streaming Options
5 streaming options available
Authorized official broadcast providers. Regional carriage and subscription plans may vary by territory.
Streaming Plans & Pricing for Cinemax
DIRECTV Stream
Entertainment + Premier package or standalone premium bolt-on
- Requires Premier package or standalone premium bolt-on (+$14.99/mo on top of base plan)
- 90+ live linear channels
- Includes local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC broadcast feeds
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage with 9-month retention
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV (With Ads) + Cinemax Premium Add-on ($9.99/mo)
- Requires Cinemax Premium Add-on ($9.99/mo) (+$9.99/mo on top of base plan)
- 95+ live linear channels including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC
- Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ digital sports library
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage with 9-month retention
YouTube TV
Spanish Plan + Cinemax Premium Add-on ($10.00/mo)
- Requires Cinemax Premium Add-on ($10.00/mo) (+$10.99/mo on top of base plan)
- 30+ Spanish-language networks including Univision, Telemundo, and UniMás
- Includes ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and TUDN
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage with 9-month retention
Izzi Go
izzi tv+ light (Includes izzi go)
- Channel included in base tier (no extra add-on required)
- 84 total channels with core Mexican sports telecasts on TUDN and Fox Sports
- Complimentary mobile and web access via the izzi go application
- Stream on up to 2 devices simultaneously
Sling TV
Sling Select + Cinemax Premium Add-on
- Requires Cinemax Premium Add-on (+$11.00/mo on top of base plan)
- 10+ live linear channels
- Includes FS1, FOX News, FX, and NFL Network
- 3 simultaneous transmission screens
Cinemax Streaming Guide: Verdict, Cost & Best Options
The Verdict
Cinemax transmits in clean 1080p and 1080i high-definition video accompanied by uncompressed Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound across digital streaming providers, delivering theatrical feature films completely commercial-free in their original aspect ratios. Owned by Home Box Office, Inc. under Warner Bros. Discovery, the network complements sister network HBO by specializing in high-octane Hollywood blockbusters, action franchises, suspense thrillers, cult horror, and late-night genre cinema. The channel also maintains an on-demand archive of celebrated original pulp action dramas like Banshee, Strike Back, and The Knick. Because parent company Warner Bros. Discovery retired the standalone MAX GO app in 2020 and deliberately excludes the linear Cinemax channel from standard Max subscriptions, cord-cutters must subscribe to Cinemax as an add-on channel through host platforms like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
Best For
- Movie lovers seeking uncut Hollywood action titles, sci-fi thrillers, and cult horror films without commercials
- Viewers wanting continuous feature-length film broadcasts without mid-movie advertising breaks
- Fans of cult prestige action television streaming complete archives of Banshee and Strike Back
- Cord-cutters adding a dedicated linear premium movie channel to Hulu, Sling TV, or Prime Video
Pricing Reality
You cannot subscribe to Cinemax as an independent standalone streaming app, nor is the live linear channel included in a standard Max membership ($9.99–$16.99/mo). Cinemax is strictly distributed as a premium bolt-on package costing $9.99 to $10.00 per month on top of a hosting service. The single cheapest way to access the live 24/7 linear Cinemax feed and on-demand library is through Hulu, where you can pair base on-demand Hulu ($9.99/mo) with the Cinemax add-on ($9.99/mo) for a true out-of-pocket cost of $19.98 per month. Amazon Prime Video Channels offers a similar add-on path ($9.99/mo on top of Prime). For live TV streaming bundles, Sling TV offers the Cinemax add-on for $10 monthly on top of Sling Orange or Blue ($50–$56/mo total), while YouTube TV charges $9.99 monthly on top of its $72.99 base plan ($82.98/mo total). DIRECTV Stream includes Cinemax in its top-tier Premier tier ($164.99/mo) or as a $11 monthly add-on.
What We Like
- 100% commercial-free theatrical film presentations broadcast in original aspect ratios with 5.1 surround sound
- Affordable digital entry point available through Hulu on-demand + Cinemax add-on for under $20 per month
- Integrated live 24/7 linear channel streaming available on Hulu, Sling TV, Prime Video, and YouTube TV
- Extensive on-demand catalog featuring hundreds of rotating Hollywood movies and archived original action series
- Month-to-month digital billing with instant online cancellation and zero long-term contracts
Things to Consider
- No standalone direct-to-consumer Cinemax app exists, requiring a base subscription to a third-party host service
- Standard Max subscriptions completely omit the live linear Cinemax broadcast channel
- Zero free over-the-air digital antenna reception due to premium encrypted pay-TV distribution
- The network no longer commissions new original scripted dramatic programming
- Strict domestic IP geolocation blocks live video streaming and on-demand playback outside the United States
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How to Stream Cinemax: Live TV & Schedule FAQ
Can you watch Cinemax for free with an indoor TV antenna?
No. Cinemax is a premium encrypted pay-television network and does not broadcast over terrestrial airwaves. Indoor digital antennas only capture local broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, meaning Cinemax requires a paid digital add-on subscription.
Is the live linear Cinemax channel included with a standard Max subscription?
No. While both brands are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Max is a separate on-demand streaming service that does not include the live linear Cinemax television channel. To watch live Cinemax broadcasts, you must purchase the Cinemax add-on through a provider like Hulu, Sling TV, Prime Video Channels, or YouTube TV.
What is the cheapest way to watch Cinemax live without cable?
The cheapest way to stream Cinemax live is by adding the Cinemax channel add-on ($9.99/mo) to a basic on-demand Hulu subscription ($9.99/mo), bringing your total out-of-pocket cost to $19.98 per month. This unlocks the live 24/7 linear Cinemax stream and full on-demand film catalog directly within the Hulu app.
Does Cinemax still produce new original series?
No. Cinemax ceased production of new original scripted series in 2020 as parent company Warner Bros. Discovery shifted original production resources to Max and HBO. However, Cinemax continues to broadcast its celebrated archive of original action series, including Banshee, Strike Back, and The Knick, alongside licensed theatrical movies.
Can you stream Cinemax while traveling outside the United States?
No. US digital streaming providers hosting Cinemax (such as Hulu, Sling TV, and Prime Video) enforce strict geographic IP blocks based on domestic broadcast copyright agreements. Video playback is blocked when connecting from an international IP address unless connected within the United States.
Where Cinemax is Available
Licensed Broadcast TerritoryOfficial distribution for Cinemax is licensed within United States. Check the full directory of verified television networks and legal cord-cutting options available in this territory.