HBO Max vs Netflix:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Netflix had more branded searches than HBO Max among TV and streaming services in New Zealand. Netflix had about 246,000 branded searches, while HBO Max had 22,200. Netflix made up 25.4% 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, Netflix appeared in all five answers and HBO Max in four. Netflix was mentioned before HBO Max in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Netflix, about 11 searches for every 1 for HBO Max
Who does AI mention more?
Netflix, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Netflix, named ahead of HBO Max in every answer
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Top TV and streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Netflix 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. Netflix was listed before HBO Max in every answer.
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 Netflix more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HBO Max and Netflix 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 Netflix, 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 HBO Max and Netflix comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Netflix was ahead of HBO Max in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 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, Netflix’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand moved from 29.1% to 25.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand TV and streaming services in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Netflix gained share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand, from 23.7% to 25.4%.
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 HBO Max’s and Netflix’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.
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