HBO Max isn't on Roku and Fire TV: What's going on? [Update]

HBO Max isn't on Roku and Fire TV: What's going on? [Update]

HBO Max is here. (Unless (like many households) you rely on Roku or Fire TV. Yes, (May 27) is Day 1 for HBO Max, but the streaming service does not meet the standard set by Disney Plus, and just as the Apple TV (pictured above) is one of the few OTT boxes with HBO Max, it is not among the top streaming devices to Disappearing.

Last week, we saw reports that Warner Media (HBO's parent company) and Roku are still "trying to hammer out" a deal to offer the HBO Max app on Roku TV, sticks, and boxes; Roku's subscription pie is rumored to be the bottleneck;

Roku's subscription pie is rumored to be the bottleneck.

The lack of an HBO Max app on Roku is less shocking than the lack of an Amazon Fire TV app. Because AT&T CEO John Stankey warned investors, "When all this is over, we may not be in the Amazon Fire app store."

An Amazon spokesperson blasted AT&T, the parent company of HBO Max (which owns Warner Media), to Tom's Guide, issuing the following statement via email: "With a seamless customer experience, approximately 5 million HBO streamers now watch Amazon's Prime Video channels. Unfortunately, with the launch of HBO Max, AT&T has chosen to deny these loyal HBO customers access to the expanded catalog."

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In a statement reported by Newsweek, Roku did not explain what they are asking for, but basically said that HBO Max can wait because they get more from their platform: "While we do not typically comment on specific contract terms or negotiations believe HBO Max will benefit greatly from distribution on Roku at launch, while in this instance it is the fact that we do not currently have an agreement in place."

Amazon and WarnerMedia are "at odds over where to put content and who has access to user data.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon and WarnerMedia are "at odds over where to put content and who can access user data.

This statement follows his claim that the company expected HBO Max to be "in virtually every app store" at launch, regarding availability on launch day. This statement could only mean availability on launch day.

If you're wondering how big this is, in 2019, market research firm Parks Associates found that Roku will account for 39% of the installed base of streaming media players in the US, followed by Amazon Fire TV at 30% It stated. This means that approximately 69% of streaming media devices in homes across the US do not have access to HBO Max.

Ryan Penagos, AgentM for Marvel, tried to try HBO Max, but the lack of a Roku app was an obstacle: "There is no roku app, and the Xbox one app gives me an error before I can download it. Oh well." Tweeter @crazyduckzxc tried sideloading HBO Max onto his Fire TV.

User @thelovelypossum nailed the problem, saying, "The fact that HBO Max is not on Roku or Fire TV is a big L." Twitter user @drake_aca vented about how frustrating it is to pre-order when the service is not on his Roku. I can't be one of those people who watches TV on my laptop. I feel like I'm working when I watch it on my computer, so I prefer to watch TV on my TV."

This could all be corrected relatively soon.

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