<\/p>\n For May 2026, two streamers fall into that latter category: HBO Max and Peacock. Both have their strengths, but this month\u2019s lineups make them easier to skip than keep. Here\u2019s why these are the services to cancel \u2014 at least for now.<\/p>\n Why I’d cancel HBO Max<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Max)<\/p>\n HBO Max still carries a certain prestige. It’s the place you go for buzzy dramas, originals like “The Pitt” and a deep bench of movies. But prestige only goes so far when the must-watch factor isn\u2019t quite there, and in May, the streamer feels more like a \u201ccatch up later\u201d than a \u201cstay subscribed now.\u201d<\/p>\n To be fair, there are a few notable exceptions, and I’ll state them right up front. The finale of “Rooster” lands May 3, so if you\u2019ve been watching, it\u2019s worth hanging on for just a few more days to see how it all wraps \u2014 and then cancel. And then there are two major ongoing shows: “Euphoria” season 3 and “Hacks,” both of which run through the end of the month (with Hacks airing its series finale on May 28). But that timing actually works in your favor; instead of staying subscribed all month, you can just come back in June and binge both seasons in full, finales included.<\/p>\n Outside of those headline titles, the May lineup leans more \u201cinteresting\u201d than essential. The movie slate is strong, with theatrical titles like “Wuthering Heights” and the Charli XCX mockumentary “The Moment” arriving on HBO Max. There\u2019s also the original film “Miss You, Love You,” pairing Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells in a grief-tinged dramedy. Then again, they’ll all still be on the platform next month.<\/p>\n Why I’d cancel Peacock<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: RGR Collection \/ Alamy Stock Photo)<\/p>\n Peacock has its strengths \u2014 reality hits and Universal movies \u2014 but in May, it\u2019s missing the one thing that really matters: a big, buzzy original. The reality spinoff “Love Island: Beyond the Villa” wraps May 6, the new crime series “M.I.A.” premieres May 7, and “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” lands later in the month. Individually, they\u2019re appealing enough. But none feel like can\u2019t-miss, must-watch-now programming.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth noting that NBC\u2019s biggest shows will be airing their finales throughout May, and Peacock does offer next-day streaming. But you don\u2019t actually need a subscription to keep up \u2014 you can watch NBC the old-fashioned way with an over-the-air TV antenna<\/a>. no monthly fee required.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re thinking longer-term, Peacock will be much more relevant very soon, as it\u2019s set to carry World Cup coverage in June. Cancel now, then come back when there\u2019s a true must-watch event on deck. Bonus: You can catch up on anything you missed in May.<\/p>\n How much you’ll save by canceling HBO Max and Peacock<\/p>\n If you drop HBO Max (Max) and Peacock in May, the savings are actually more meaningful than they might look at first glance, especially if you have one of the higher-end tiers.<\/p>\n HBO Max runs $10.99\/month with ads, $18.49 for the standard ad-free plan, and $22.99 for premium ad-free. Peacock ranges from $7.99\/month for Select, $10.99 for Premium (with ads), and $16.99 for Premium Plus.<\/p>\n Altogether, that means canceling both services in May up to $40 back in your pocket for the month, depending on which plans you\u2019re on.<\/p>\n That may not seem like a lot, but over the course of a year, your streaming subscriptions can quickly add up. Rotating out even a couple of services for a month or two at a time can easily translate into $150+ in annual savings, without really changing how much you\u2019re watching. You just resubscribe when something genuinely worth your time (and money) shows up, instead of paying for everything all the time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News<\/a> and add us as a preferred source<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom’s Guide on YouTube<\/a> and follow Tom’s Guide Entertainment on TikTok<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n More from Tom’s Guide<\/p>\n Today’s best Roku streaming device deals<\/p>\n![\"Hannah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/QmRQYhuhoKqwFcUCddPRGn.jpg\")
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