Apple TV vs HBO Max:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple TV had more branded searches than HBO Max among TV and streaming services in New Zealand. Apple TV had about 27,100 branded searches, while HBO Max had 22,200. Apple TV made up 2.8% of all TV and streaming service searches we track, and HBO Max accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV and streaming services, Apple TV and HBO Max each appeared in four of the five answers. HBO Max was mentioned before Apple TV in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Apple TV, about 22% more searches than HBO Max
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
HBO Max, named ahead of Apple TV in 4 of 5 answers
Follow Apple TV vs HBO Max and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top TV and streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple TV was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both 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. HBO Max was listed before Apple TV in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
TVNZ+5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Netflix5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Prime Video5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Neon5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sky4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Disney+4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Apple TV4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
ThreeNow4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- HBO Max4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sky Sport Now3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about TV and streaming services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which TV and streaming service should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best TV and streaming services in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best TV and streaming service in New Zealand for TV shows?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tv streaming services”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best streaming service”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand 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 11 TV and streaming services we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Apple TV, HBO Max. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | TVNZ+ | Netflix | Sky | Disney+ | Sky Sport Now | Prime Video | Apple TV | ThreeNow | HBO Max | Māori+ | Neon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27.5% | 29.1% | 12.3% | 9.8% | 7.2% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.8% | 0.28% | 1.5% | 0.48% |
| Nov 2025 | 29.5% | 25.4% | 12.5% | 9.3% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 3.7% | 0.37% | 3.9% | 0.43% |
| Dec 2025 | 30.4% | 31% | 9.9% | 10.4% | 3.5% | 6.2% | 3.4% | 3% | 0.45% | 1% | 0.65% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.1% | 30.4% | 10.9% | 10.2% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 2.7% | 3.6% | 0.44% | 1.7% | 0.61% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.5% | 25.9% | 14.4% | 8.7% | 6.5% | 5.2% | 2.3% | 5.6% | 0.46% | 2.7% | 0.62% |
| Mar 2026 | 25.5% | 29% | 12.5% | 9.5% | 6.1% | 4.8% | 2.1% | 5% | 0.42% | 4.5% | 0.57% |
| Apr 2026 | 31.5% | 23.7% | 11% | 9.5% | 7.4% | 5.8% | 2.6% | 4.2% | 0.63% | 3% | 0.7% |
| May 2026 | 30.6% | 23.2% | 12.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 7% | 2.6% | 2.8% | 0.51% | 3% | 0.85% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.5% | 16.1% | 8.8% | 6.5% | 6.4% | 4.8% | 1.8% | 1.9% | 2.6% | 2% | 0.48% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.6% | 18.3% | 10.2% | 8.2% | 9.3% | 4.5% | 2% | 2.7% | 3% | 2.8% | 0.37% |
| Aug 2026 | 25.7% | 23.7% | 12.1% | 10.6% | 10.1% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.44% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.5% | 25.4% | 12.4% | 11.4% | 8.1% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 0.43% |
How has the Apple TV and HBO Max comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: HBO Max took it in June 2026, Apple TV took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple TV’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand moved from 3.2% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HBO Max’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand moved from 0.28% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 22.2K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand TV and streaming services in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apple TV rose from 8th to 7th among TV and streaming services in New Zealand.
Estimated monthly branded searches for HBO Max in New Zealand rose 665.5% over 12 measured months, from 2.9K to 22.2K 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 TV and streaming services
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.