The best Black Friday streaming deals on Max, Paramount Plus, Hulu, and more

A year of ad-supported Hulu is less than $12 right now. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeIf it feels like every streaming service received a price hike this year, it’s probably because most of them have. Netflix,...

Nov 22, 2023 - 21:02

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The best Black Friday streaming deals on Max, Paramount Plus, Hulu, and more

If it feels like every streaming service received a price hike this year, it’s probably because most of them have. Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Discovery Plus, and Disney Plus are just a few recent examples, though there are still ways to weather the price increases. Black Friday brings all sorts of deals, after all, including ways to save on your monthly streaming bill.

In fact, some streaming services are offering deals that offset their recent price hikes — well, at least temporarily. Paramount Plus, for example, might have raised the price of its cheapest plan to $5.99 a month, but at the moment, it starts at just $1.99. What’s even better is that both new and returning subscribers are eligible for the deal, which is a bonafide rarity as far as streaming deals are concerned.

Paramount Plus is just one of many services offering discounts ahead of Black Friday, though. From Hulu to Max, we’ve rounded up the best streaming deals available.

Hulu

Now until 11:59PM PT on November 28th, you can sign up for a year of Hulu’s ad-supported tier for $11.88, which works out to 99 cents a month. The subscription grants you access to over a thousand movies and shows, including Futurama, The Bear, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Abbott Elementary.

You can sign up for 12 months of Hulu’s ad-supported plan for just 99 cents a month until 11:59PM PT on November 28th. That essentially works out to a year of Hulu for $11.88, saving you about $68 on what is otherwise a $79.99 plan — or $85 if you pay the $7.99 monthly fee. Hulu is also offering an additional deal on the Starz add-on, allowing you to pay 99 cents a month as opposed to $9.99 for six months, saving you $54. Both new and returning subscribers who canceled their Hulu subscription at least a month ago can take advantage of the deal, along with existing Disney Plus and ESPN Plus standalone subscribers.

The ad-supported plan grants access to the same catalog of TV shows and movies as the ad-free plan, including forthcoming series like Sand Land and Marvel’s Echo and existing hits like Futurama and The Bear. However, you won’t be able to download content for offline viewing with the base tier, and multiple people can’t stream simultaneously.

Max

Max is offering new and returning customers a six-month subscription to its ad-supported plan for $2.99 a month instead of $9.99 a month until November 27th. The base plan provides access to all the same programming as the pricier tiers, including shows like The Last of Us and forthcoming films like Barbie.

Max is currently offering new and returning subscribers a six-month subscription to its ad-supported plan for $2.99 a month until November 27th. The plan normally costs $9.99 per month, which means you’ll be saving $42 over the course of six months.

The ad-supported plan allows you to stream a range of popular shows and films, including The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Blue Beetle, and Barbie (upon its release). In addition, HBO is throwing in the B/R Sports add-on for a limited time, so you’ll also be able to watch over 300 live games, including NBA, NHL, and MLB matches.

Given this is the ad-supported tier and not one of the more premium Max plans, however, there are some tradeoffs to consider. Only two people can stream simultaneously, for one, and you can’t download content for offline viewing or stream in 4K UHD.

Paramount Plus

New and returning subscribers can get three months of the ad-supported Paramount Plus Essential plan for $1.98 per month instead of $5.99 or three months of the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan for $3.96 instead of $11.99 per month. To get either deal, you must use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY before December 4th.

Both new and returning subscribers can get three months of the ad-supported Paramount Plus Essential plan for $1.98 per month instead of $5.99, which equates to a savings of $12. Alternatively, you can save $24 when you sign up for three months of the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan for $3.96 a month instead of $11.99. To get either deal, however, you must use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY before December 4th.

Both plans grant access to thousands of movies and shows, including Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and Yellowstone spinoffs like 1883 and 1923. You can also watch live news on CBS, NFL on CBS (which includes Super Bowl LVII), and UEFA Champions League games. The Showtime plan also offers access to content like Billions and The Chi, along with live TV with CBS and college football. It’s also mostly ad-free and allows you to download content for offline viewing.

Sling TV

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service featuring live and on-demand TV channels like CNN, Fox, NBC, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, and more.

If you’re more interested in live TV services, Sling is currently taking 50 percent off your first month of any plan if you’re a new subscriber. As a result, you can subscribe to Sling Orange for $20 a month, Sling Blue for $22.50 a month, or both packages for $30 a month instead of $60. No matter which package you choose, Sling will also throw in a free Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite.

All of the Sling TV plans offer live and on-demand channels, including everything from CNN to the History Channel. However, the Sling Orange plan is more sports-focused with access to ESPN channels as well as the Disney channel. Sling Blue, meanwhile, offers more news and entertainment channels, like Fox News, MSNBC, E!, Discovery, Bravo, and local NBC or Fox affiliates. It also lets you stream content on up to three devices, whereas Sling Orange limits you to a single device.