hbo max

Since Apple seems t o be trying to join cable providers in controlling (and profiting from) non Apple content distribution, cannot streamers avoid this by signing up directly with say HBO MAX and using that account information to log in using the HBO MAX App on Roku and/or Apple TV and/or otherApple devices? Unlike with the Showtime streaming service, which enables live tv access to both Showtime East and Showtime West, HBO MAX does not provide any live HBO tv. That seems a small price to pay.

I read from Apple somewhere that unless one subscribes to HBOMAX directly through AppleTV, then sharing with other Apple devices is somehow adversely affected. Does anyone understand what the possible advantage is of subscribing THROUGH APPLE for HBOMAX could be?

thx for any clarifications you can provide?

You may want to subscribe with HBO directly to have your subscription work on any device from any brand.

Apple is not a cable provider, they have merely partnered with certain streaming providers to host their service within the TV app (as Apple TV Channels). HBO was available as an Apple TV channel and then they decided to opt out when they launched HBO Max. The only way to subscribe would be by going to their app or website. If you do so within the app on an Apple device then you are merely billing to your Apple ID, but would still continue to use their service wherever it is available. If you then ran into an issue it would be up to HBO to fix it.