HBO Max gets Snapchat integration for social viewing

WarnerMedia’s premium streaming service HBO Max has partnered with Snapchat to bring full episodes of its shows to the mobile social media platform.

Available via Snap Minis, the platform’s portal for shared experiences, users can watch select episodes of HBO Max programming in the app. 

Akin to watch party features offered by the likes of Netflix and Disney+, the feature enables up to 64 users to simultaneously watch pilot episodes of original HBO shows including The Flight Attendant, Game of Thrones, Love Life, Titans and Looney Tunes.

The HBO Max Mini player launches in Snapchat with no additional installation required, and users will be presented with age-appropriate content. Users over the age of 18 will be prompted to subscribe to HBO Max to continue streaming when the episode ends. 

Sarah Lyons, EVP, DTC Global Product Management, HBO Max, said: “People love to come together to watch their favorite HBO Max shows and talk about what’s unfolding. Our partnership with Snapchat is another step towards fulfilling that desire for human connection and providing our fans with co-viewing opportunities, while deepening their emotional relationship with the brand. We believe humans value recommendations that come from other humans, so having the opportunity for friends to suggest, and then subsequently watch content together paves the way for more meaningful discovery.”

Alston Cheek, Director of Platform Partnerships at Snap, Inc., said: “We’re excited to partner with HBO Max to offer our community an innovative co-viewing experience inside of Snapchat. Snap Minis offer an exciting new way for HBO Max to create social experiences for fans of its programming, complementing our incredible Snap Originals and partnered content available on Discover. The Mini is easy to use, and instantly brings friends together to watch their favorite titles and discover new shows for free.”