As promised, Warner/Discovery has finally determined the fate of HBO MAX. Frankly, the news is not as dramatic as some thought, but there are some definite changes starting with a streaming service name change from HBO MAX to MAX. The new service officially starts on May 23, 2023.
Tip: Discovery+ will continue as a stand-alone service for the time being.
Let’s dig into how MAX will affect streaming viewers.
What is MAX?
MAX includes all the content from HBO Max together with favorites from Discovery TV brands: HGTV, the Food Network, TLC, Magnolia Network, and more. This means that MAX combines HBO and the DC Universe, plus movies, original series, and fan-favorite genres like true crime, reality, food, and comedy.
All of HBO Max: HBO series and movies, Max Originals, and select series and movies from Warner Bros., the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, the Turner Library, Looney Tunes, Adult Swim, and more.
Discovery favorites: The best real-life shows from your favorite TV brands: are HGTV, the Food Network, TLC, ID, Magnolia Network, Discovery, and more.
Something for everyone: Popular series like Friends, the HBO Original series Game of Thrones, 90 Day Fiancé, Rick and Morty, The Big Bang Theory, Deadliest Catch, and Fixer Upper, as well as plenty of hit movies, indie favorites, and critically-acclaimed documentaries.
User Interface Improvements
- Smarter recommendations
- Improved performance
- Easier to sign in and use
- Profile PIN for Adult profiles
- New hubs, including genres
Subscription Plans
Max will offer three paid subscription options.
Plan Category Max Ad-Lite Max Ad Free Max Ultimate Ad Free Plan Price $9.99/month or $99.99/year $15.99/month or $149.99/year $19.99/month or $199.99/year Resolution 1080p 1080p 4K UHD Downloads Allowed (per month) None 30 100 Concurrent Streams Allowed 2 4 4 Audio Up to 5.1 channels Up to 5.1 channels Up to Dolby Atmos
Existing HBO Max Subscribers?
Existing HBO Max subscribers will have access to MAX at the same price as their HBO Max subscription and can visit: https://help.hbomax.com
Additionally, HBO Max subscribers will still have access to their current plan features for a minimum of six months following the launch. HBO Max subscribers’ profiles, settings, watch history, “Continue Watching,” and “My List” items will also migrate to MAX so they can pick up streaming right where they left off.
Tip: On May 23rd, the HBO Max app will become MAX. If you have HBO Max installed, one of two things will happen:
- HBO Max will automatically update to MAX.
- When you open HBO Max, you’ll be prompted to download the MAX app.
More Info For Current Subscribers
- Watch for emails in the coming weeks for more info about MAX.
- MAX will be available on the same phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles as HBO Max is currently.
- MAX is expected to be available on the same devices as HBO Max.
- Current subscribers will be able to retain their current profiles, watch history, and HBO Max settings will be available in MAX.
- Once MAX becomes active current HBO Max subscribers will need to redownload their shows and movies on the new platform.
Tip: More details on MAX that you might want to read about can be found by clicking on the link.
Programming Strategy
MAX will bring HBO Max’s programming and Discovery+’s entertainment content together to create a more complete viewing experience for all ages.
From Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, of HBO and Max Content: “The MAX service is a wide-ranging mosaic of content that will be unmatched in the breadth, reach, and excellence of its offerings…We are unique because we have the best in all categories across the board by any measure – be they ratings, awards, or fandom. We know we can satisfy any craving because we have the brands that people love. At MAX, they will find what they want, when they want it.”
New Content Coming To MAX
To keep current subscribers and attract new ones, here is some of what is in store in terms of content.
- Max Original Harry Potter series with J.K. Rowling, as executive producer
- Max Original comedy series derived from The Big Bang Theory.
- An HBO Original “Game of Thrones” prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight;
- Max original drama series based on The Conjuring films.
- Max Original Peter & the Wolf from Bono.
- Magnolia Network’s Fixer Upper:The Hote.
- Discovery Channel’s Survive the Raft.
- Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty: The Anime.
- Investigation Discovery’s Lost Women of Highway 20
- Cartoon Network’s Tiny Toons Looniversity
- TLC’s Love & Translation.
Additional upcoming titles include the following Max Originals:
- The Penguin starring Colin Farrell
- Max Original six-part docuseries SmartLess: On The Road.
- Max Original kids’ series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai
- HBO Original drama series The Sympathizer.
- HBO Original limited series True Detective: Night Country starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis.
- HBO Original limited series The Regime starring Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet.
- HGTV’s four-part Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge
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ORT
April 13, 2023 at 3:37 am
Neat!
ORT
ORT
April 13, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Hmmmm…And on a more serious note, I have this service but I will NEVER view much of the new “content” backing up the pipe soon.
Exempli Gratia – I have no interest in “Gayme of Drones”
HGTV? Ibid that!
Twue Dective? – Knight Kountry? Ibid that again!
The Synpathizer? – Ad infinitum.
Survive The Daft? – FTN.
There really is nothing of note under the Toucan Sun. Nothing of note. Nothing of worth. I have HBO-Max because it has TCM which has some Criterion Films.
I used to have Netflix and watched in its entirety the series “Penny Dreadful” as I think well of Timothy Dalton’s acting. I barely made it through to the pathetic ending because I can not stand weirdness for the sake of fetish-born titillation. I used the fast-forward a LOT.
Call it fate…Call it luck…Call it karma…I care not for such fare. If MAX goes mad on me?
We shall see. 😉
Don QuixORTe’
Ortisweird
April 13, 2023 at 9:24 pm
Ort, you are one strange dude.
Ian White
April 13, 2023 at 9:27 pm
He’s even funnier in person.
We love him here.
Ian White
ORT
April 14, 2023 at 1:17 am
Ortisweird?! Cool nom de plume! That mens “cool pen name” in case along with you being a SNAG you are also less edumacated than some. It’s French and as we can all not agree on, the French are beyond weird.
Are you French! 😉
Oh yeah…I bet you are wondering what a “SNAG” is:
Sensitive New Age Guy (or Girl, LOL!). It may be that you are not that sensitive but you are one funny fellow. A sense of humor is often lacking in today’s weird, woke world. Well done, sir!
Me? On the subject of what passes for entertainment these days on I an like unto an “Ugnauht”.
I have spoken 🙂
Don QuixORTe
Dan
April 16, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Let’s hope this app rollout is better than HBO Max was. While the content is incredible in one app, when it came out it was buggy, slow, and very hard to navigate. I had to log out and in every time in order for it to work for me. They eventually figured things out and it works pretty well now, although I still sometimes have issues with it not wanting to exit when I am finished watching. Hoping they have taken some of those lessons learned and this app rollout will be much smoother.
ORT
April 17, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Well said, Sir Dan!
ORT