Soon to be HBO Max Max, a rolling streaming service, According to Warner Bros. Discovery. The remastered platform will feature merged content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus, giving you shows like Euphoria and Succession alongside unscripted, grayscale series like Fixer Upper. Along with the new name comes a new tagline: The One to Watch.
The company touts a larger library and better user interface, but you might have some basic questions about how all these changes will affect your existing account. And newcomers might be curious to know what’s going on with Max and what the service has to offer. Below are answers to some of your questions.
When will Max be released in my country?
US customers will get access to the Max on May 23rd. Users in Latin America will see the roll-out in fall 2023, with some European and Asian markets getting maximum access in early to mid-2024.
Once the service is launched, it will be automatically upgraded with the new Max logo, interface, and features. According to Warner Bros. Discovery, existing subscribers will see their profiles, billing information, and watchlists seamlessly transition to the updated version and will only have to open the app to use the platform. However, the company said that some users will be required to download the new version of the streaming app.
New Max customers can either subscribe to HBO Max now, or wait to sign up for the new service on May 23 to start streaming right away.
How much will Max cost?
Pricing will remain the same as for existing HBO Max subscriptions, but there’s a new premium plan that will cost more than the two standard options. The Ad-Lite Max will cost $10 per month and comes with HD and two streaming, while the ad-free Max is $16 per month for HD, two streaming and 30 downloads.
When the new service arrives in May, there will also be a $20 per month Ultimate plan, which offers four simultaneous streams, 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos sound and 100 downloads. This is a change, as HBO Max currently offers three streams for both plans with the ability to watch some titles in 4K Ultra HD. Yes, you’ll have to pay more for 4K, but some existing HBO Max features will still be available for up to six months after the Max launches.
Note that Discovery Plus will continue to be a standalone streaming option. It’s currently $5 per month for an ad-supported plan and $7 per month without ads.
What TV shows and movies will be shown on Max?
The broadcast show from Warner Bros. Discovery content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus. Max will have HBO Originals and Warner Bros. Movies. and Max originals, DC Comics and Harry Potter, along with shows from brands including Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC and ID. The entire HBO Max library will be found on Max along with a selection of discovery titles.
At its press conference on Wednesday, Warner Bros. Discovery Highlight a bunch of new titles which will be arriving on the newly rebranded streaming service. In addition to the DC drama The Penguin, subscribers will have access to familiar franchises like The Conjuring, The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter. New offerings coming to the viewer range from a limited series starring Kate Winslet to a Barbie-themed home renovation competition series, from a thriller based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to a dating series from the producers of 90 Day Fiancé.
WBD’s chief content officer, Kathleen Finch, and Max’s chief content officer, Casey Bloys, confirmed that family and children’s content will also take center stage on the new service, with the goal of targeting audiences of all ages. Viewers will get more releases of animation and entertainment from popular brands like Cartoon Network, Hanna-Barbera, Boomerang, Looney Toons, and DC. This includes a new animated version of Peter & the Wolf from U2’s Bono.
Subscribers can also expect to find Movies Max as a streaming home after their theatrical shows. Shazam! Fury of the Gods will arrive on launch day, and Blue Beetle, Dune 2, Barbie, and The Flash are among the other movie titles you’ll find on the platform. The flash will reach its maximum in the fall.
A new take on Peter & the Wolf is coming to Max, courtesy of Bono.
Is there a way to opt out of Discovery or HBO Max content?
no. But you can choose to get a standalone Discovery Plus subscription instead of the Max subscription. While there will not be a separate release for HBO Max and HBO-branded content, Warner Bros. Discovery says the updated app will have an interface that’s more customized to a user’s personal tastes. It will also feature genre hubs and a new content navigation menu at the top of the screen to make it easier to find what you want.
According to the company’s global president of broadcast, JB Perrette, Max “will have distinct, high-performance personalized experiences including elements such as ‘because you watched’ recommendations and immersive hero visuals tailored to each user.” He noted that the app’s recommendation engine will eventually learn to display content that matches your viewing habits.
Should I cancel my existing HBO Max or Discovery Plus subscription if I have them?
There is no need to cancel your subscriptions now unless you are no longer enjoying them. All existing HBO Max subscribers will move to Max when the app restarts in May. Max will include Discovery Plus content, but Discovery Plus will also remain a separate, lower-priced streaming option that contains content only from the Discovery Networks. If you like the fully compact Max lineup, you might want to wait and drop the Discovery Plus in May.
What if I get HBO or HBO Max on cable?
If you currently receive HBO Max or HBO through a mobile carrier or cable/satellite TV provider, you will be able to access the updated Max app. You will not have to cancel and re-subscribe. At launch, it will be available through AT&T, Hulu, Cox, Xfinity, Verizon, DirecTV, Prime Video channels, and other services. You can view the list on Max’s website. Max can be accessed on most devices, including TVs, game consoles, and mobile phones.
If you’re new to Max or Discovery Plus, you can sign up now or wait until May 23.
To learn more about WBD broadcast services, read on Live sports strategy which Channels are on Discovery Plus.