Apple TV vs HBO Max:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HBO Max had more branded searches than Apple TV among streaming services worldwide. HBO Max had about 9.1 million branded searches, while Apple TV had 6.1 million. HBO Max made up 6.8% of all streaming service searches we track, and Apple TV accounted for 4.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streaming services, HBO Max appeared in four of the five answers and Apple TV in three. HBO Max was mentioned before Apple TV in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
HBO Max, about 49% more searches than Apple TV
Who does AI mention more?
HBO Max, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Apple TV in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
HBO Max, named ahead of Apple TV in 4 of 4 answers
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Top streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HBO Max was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple TV was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HBO Max was listed before Apple TV in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Netflix1st- HBO Max2nd
Disney+3rd
Hulu4th
Prime Video5th
YouTube TV6th
Apple TV7th
Sling TV8th
Philo9th
Fubo10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Disney+5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hulu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Netflix4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- HBO Max4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Prime Video4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- YouTube TV4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Apple TV3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sling TV2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Philo2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fubo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about streaming services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which streaming service should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best streaming services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best streaming service for movies and shows?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“streaming services”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tv streaming service”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Apple TV or HBO Max more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple TV and HBO Max by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten streaming services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for HBO Max, Apple TV. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Netflix | Disney+ | HBO Max | Prime Video | YouTube TV | Apple TV | Hulu | Fubo | Sling TV | Philo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 59.3% | 11.8% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 0.87% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 57.7% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 64.6% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 0.96% | 0.53% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.9% | 10.3% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 62.9% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 0.76% | 0.51% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 60.3% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 1.1% | 0.49% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 61.5% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 3% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.74% | 0.41% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 63.1% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 0.76% | 0.42% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 62.3% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.41% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.2% | 10.5% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 0.35% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 62.9% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.76% | 0.34% | 0.04% |
| Sep 2026 | 61.8% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.03% |
How has the Apple TV and HBO Max comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- HBO Max was ahead of Apple TV in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple TV’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide moved from 3.6% to 4.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5M to 6.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HBO Max’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide moved from 6.5% to 6.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.1M.
How did search popularity change for streaming services worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, YouTube TV overtook Apple TV and Hulu to rank 5th among streaming services worldwide, with 5.6% of the searches.
HBO Max’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 8.3% to 6.8% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple TV worldwide rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 5M to 6.1M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple TV’s and HBO Max’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among streaming services
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