TV series
Television networks battle one another in an unrelenting ratings war. Whoever controls the airwaves controls the dystopic world in which they broadcast. So when Network 23's star reporter, Edison Carter, uncovers a deadly secret that could shake up the station's dominion over its viewers, the only option is to eliminate Carter before he can make his story public. After Carter's "accident," his mind is uploaded to create the world's first self-aware, computer-generated TV host — Max Headroom! But will Max bow to his creators? Or will he be the key to his human alter ago bringing down a network superpower?
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 5, 2026
Max Headroom is available to stream on The Roku Channel, Hoopla, Plex, and Tubi in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Television networks battle one another in an unrelenting ratings war. Whoever controls the airwaves controls the dystopic world in which they broadcast. So when Network 23's star reporter, Edison Carter, uncovers a deadly secret that could shake up the station's dominion over its viewers, the only option is to eliminate Carter before he can make his story public. After Carter's "accident," his mind is uploaded to create the world's first self-aware, computer-generated TV host — Max Headroom! But will Max bow to his creators? Or will he be the key to his human alter ago bringing down a network superpower?
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Network 23 becomes the victim of signal zipping - illegal interruption of their satellite feed. When Bryce tracks the zipping to Big Time Television, Reg is arrested and sent for trial by gameshow on ""You the Jury"". Meanwhile Edison and Theora trace the real zippers to the Academy of Computer Sciences, and Bryce's old schoolfriends.
Directed by Victor LoblGuest stars Hank Garrett, James Greene, Dick Patterson
Episode 2
The Vu-Age Church is running a phony resurrection service, claiming to be able to store cortical scans of its members and keep them on-line for the day when cloning is perfected and their personalities can be placed in new bodies. Edison is reluctant to pursue the story because Vu- Age's leading televangelist, Vanna Smith, is an old flame.
Directed by Thomas J. WrightWritten by Michael CassuttGuest stars Dayle Haddon, Rosalind Chao
Episode 3
Rival Network 66 attempts to defeat Network 23 in a ratings-based election by introducing a ""watch while you sleep"" device into its programming to cause people to leave their TV sets on all night.
Directed by Janet GreekWritten by Steve RobertsGuest stars Rosalind Chao, Andreas Katsulas
Episode 4
Some shady entrepreneurs are stealing people's dreams and selling them to the highest bidders. Edison goes undercover to expose their lethal business.
Directed by Todd HollandWritten by Steve RobertsGuest stars Ron Fassler, Mark Lindsay Chapman, Jere Burns, Jenette Goldstein, Vernon Weddle
Episode 5
A video narcotic is causing people to leave their TVs tuned to Big Time Television twenty-four hours a day.
Directed by Victor LoblGuest stars Richard Frank, Bill Maher, Andreas Katsulas, Charles Rocket, Hank Garrett, Sharon Barr, Bert Kramer, Craig Schaefer
Episode 6
Zik-Zak introduces Neurostim, a device to directly stimulate the brain and bypass the need to use television for advertising.
Directed by Maurice PhillipsWritten by Michael Cassutt
Episode 7
Network 23 censors go a step too far when they try to shut down a secret school in the fringes, because it's using pirated Network 23 instructional programming.
Directed by Victor LoblWritten by Steve RobertsGuest stars Peter Crook, Ainslie Currie, John Durbin, Laura Carrington, Michael Preston
Episode 8
Edison Carter is on the trail of some rather dark people who are stealing babies from the baby pods where they are grown while Bryce carefully considers working for Grossberg and channel 66.
Directed by Janet GreekWritten by Chris RuppenthalGuest stars Andreas Katsulas
Episode information updated Sep 11, 2026
Matt FrewerEdison Carter / Max Headroom
Chris YoungBryce Lynch
Jeffrey TamborMurray
William Morgan SheppardBlank Reg
Concetta TomeiBlank Dominique
Amanda PaysTheora Jones
George CoeBen Cheviot
Lee WilkofEdwards
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