Why is HBO Max becoming Max? (What’s changing about the streamer?)

Since Warner Bros. and Discovery announced they would be merging, now known as Warner Bros. Discovery, there have been lots of changes happening across the brand. Of course since HBO Max is owned by the studio, it means content on the streamer is more than effected.

The company is looking to be more cost-effective overall, and that’s meant canceling completely filmed and edited shows before they’re released, removing certain shows and movies from the streamer, and selling the rights to some projects to FAST services.

In fact, Warner Bros. Discovery shared that beginning May 23, 2023, HBO Max is going to be known as “enhanced streaming service,” Max. They certainly like to change names for some reason. So what exactly is Max? What changes can we expect to come from this? We’ve got the answer for you below.

What is Max?

Max is going to combine all that HBO and Warner Bros. offered with the brands of Discovery into one place. That means HBO movies and shows, Warner Bros. films, the DC universe, and HBO Max (aka Max) Originals, as well as Discovery brands. Those include Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and more.

Why is HBO Max becoming Max?

With all the changes, newly announced projects (more on that below), and rebranding efforts in general, the company has decided the best plan of action is to replace HBO Max with Max. In a press release, President & CEO of Global Streaming & Games at Warner Bros. Discovery JB Perrette said:

"This new brand signals an important change from two narrower products, HBO Max and discovery+, to our broader content offering and consumer proposition. While each product offered something for some people, Max will have a broad array of quality choices for everybody."

The company shared it will be releasing around 40 new titles and seasons every month following its launch day on May 23.

How much does Max cost?

Existing HBO Max subscribers will be able to access the current catalog and continue paying the same price they are right now, with the addition of the new content coming in from discovery+ and Max Originals. Settings like profiles, watch history, and “continue watching” will migrate automatically. The HBO Max app will simply become Max. However if you’re just interested in the current discovery+ content, the app will remain and be available to purchase at a lower cost.

Those who will be new subscribers, we’ve provided a breakdown of the Max pricing options below:

• Max Ad-Lite – $9.99/month or $99.99/year
  • 2 concurrent streams, 1080p resolution, no offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound quality
• Max Ad Free – $15.99/month or $149.99/year
  • 2 concurrent streams, 1080 resolution, 30 offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound quality
• Max Ultimate Ad Free – $19.99/month or $199.99/year
  4 concurrent streams, up to 4K UHD resolution, 100 offline downloads, Dolby Atmos sound quality

What’s changing about HBO Max?

The main changes you can expect really are the new name and the inclusion of discovery+ content with all the HBO and Warner Bros. projects that you’ve been used to seeing already. The company did also share some new features to look forward to.

Those include a new video playback experience that will give better sound and visual quality, better personalized options for each user, the option to have a kids profile with parental controls, a new design to make navigation through categories, shortcuts, and more easier, and 4K UHD for those who purchase the ad-free tier.

New projects coming to Max

There’s a bunch of projects coming to the enhanced streaming service, including a Harry Potter television series, a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory, another Game of Thrones prequel, The Regime starring Kate Winslet, HGTV’s four-part Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, and much more!

A full Max FAQ sheet is available on the Warner Bros. Discovery website.