Earlier today, WarnerMedia CEO and Chairman, David Zaslav, announced that streaming service HBO Max would become simply Max.
The new enhanced streaming service will become the destination for HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Originals, the DC universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an expansive offering of kids content, and best-in-class programming across food, home, reality, lifestyle and documentaries from leading brands like HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, ID and more.
Some obvious questions have arisen given the new announcement.
When does Max launch?
New subscribers can sign up when the streamer launches on May 23 at Max.com and through participating partners.
What happens to HBO Max subscriptions?
All subscribers will have access. Check out this FAQ page to get ready for May 23. On Max launch day, a large portion of subscribers will have their apps automatically updated. Others will need to download the updated app to access the expanded catalog.
Current subscribers will have their previous profiles, settings, watch history, “Continue Watching” and “My List” items waiting for them to stream.
Discovery+ subscribers can sign-up as new customers for an expanded catalog. We’ll offer ample opportunities for them to check out Max by providing extended free trials and other promotional offers.
REELated:
How much does a Max subscription cost?
Max will offer three pricing options, giving subscribers the choice to select which plan best fits the needs of their household. Existing subscribers will have access to Max at the same price as their HBO Max subscription and can visit here to find out more.
- Ad-Lite: 2 concurrent streams, 1080p resolution, no offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound quality
- $9.99/month
- $99.99/year
- Ad-Free: 2 concurrent streams, 1080 resolution, 30 offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound quality
- $15.99/month
- $149.99/year
- Ultimate Ad-Free: 4 concurrent streams, up to 4K UHD resolution, 100 offline downloads, Dolby Atmos sound quality
- $19.99/month
- $199.99/year
Are there any new features to be aware of?
In a word, yes. The new streamer will offer Better Playback, meaning the playback experience will deliver smooth and cinematic video to users, wherever and however they prefer to watch.
Parents will also find a more prominent kids’ experience that is intuitive and easy to set up. The whole household can enjoy new shows like Peter and the Wolf and Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, as well as Tiny Toons Looniversity, Batwheels, We Baby Bears, season eight of Teen Titans GO!, and classics like Sesame Street, Looney Toons, Scooby-Doo and more.
The streamer will expand personalization beyond just the home page, offering a unique experience for every user across the whole service. Whether you know exactly what you want to watch, you’re looking for personalized recommendations, or you’re in the mood to explore new interests, Max makes the journey to clicking play effortless.
Access to an expanded catalog of 4K UHD content (Ultimate Ad-Free Tier Only)
What will happen to HBO Max and Discovery+?
On May 23, subscribers will be able to access the entire HBO Max catalog plus thousands of hours of new content from Discovery+ on the app.
The lower-priced offering of Discovery+ will still be available in the U.S. as we are focused on making our stories accessible to all consumers.
Where will Max be available?
The streamer will be available in the U.S. at launch. We’ll then begin rolling out in international markets where HBO Max is currently available, starting with Latin America later in 2023, followed by select countries across Europe and Asia in 2024.
