HBO Max vs Neon:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HBO Max had more branded searches than Neon among TV and streaming services in New Zealand. HBO Max had about 22,200 branded searches, while Neon had 4,160. HBO Max made up 2.3% of all TV and streaming service searches we track, and Neon accounted for 0.43%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV and streaming services, Neon appeared in all five answers and HBO Max in four. HBO Max was mentioned before Neon in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
HBO Max, about 5 searches for every 1 for Neon
Who does AI mention more?
Neon, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
HBO Max, named ahead of Neon in 4 of 5 answers
Follow HBO Max vs Neon 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, Neon appeared in all five answers. 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 Neon 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 HBO Max or Neon more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HBO Max and Neon 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 HBO Max, Neon. 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 HBO Max and Neon comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: HBO Max took it in June 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Neon’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand moved from 0.48% to 0.43%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5K to 4.2K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand TV and streaming services in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HBO Max’s and Neon’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.