It’s true: HBO Max is no more. In its place, rises Max, a new streaming service that combines the libraries of HBO Max and Discovery+. While the name change is baffling (why would you remove a prestigious name like HBO from your brand?) it’s what’s here, and it’s where Home Box Office content will live from now on. Here’s what you need to know to make the switch.
How much do I have to pay for Max?
Announced April 12, but leaked the day prior, Max is the new streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery. The service essentially combines the content from HBO Max and Discovery+ into one, following last year’s merger of both platforms. That means you’ll be able to stream Games of Thrones and then something like Fixer Upper without leaving the app.
Max offers three tiers to choose from:
- Ad-lite plan: Stream Max in HD with up to two concurrent streams ($9.99 per month)
- Ad-free plan: Stream Max in HD with up to two concurrent streams and up to 30 downloads ($15.99 per month)
- Ultimate plan: Stream Max in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos sound (when available) with up to four concurrent streams and up to 100 downloads ($19.99 per month)
Like HBO Max, Max plans to offer its own exclusive shows, now known as Max Originals. Some of the Max Originals already announced include The Penguin, a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, as well as a new version of The Conjuring. We’ve also seen announcements for Max Originals following the streaming service’s event, such as a new Harry Potter TV series and a new Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
How do I move from HBO Max to Max?
In a confusing move, Warner Bros. Discovery decided to make Max a brand new app. That means the HBO Max app won’t automatically update to Max, and you’ll need to download the official Max app to any device you want to stream on.
If you already have an HBO Max subscription, it’ll carry over. While the company doesn’t make it clear, an HBO Max ad-plan transfers to the Max ad-lite plan, while an ad-free plan transfers to the new ad-free plan, since their prices are the same. If you want to stream in 4K, as well as on more than two devices at once, you’ll need to manually upgrade to the Ultimate plan. Personally, I’m bummed to lose the 4K content currently offered under HBO Max’s $15.99 plan. You’ll need to spend an extra $4 per month for that, and for the extra two concurrent streams.
What’s happening to Discovery+?
While HBO Max is dead, Discovery+ lives on as a standalone option, including as its own app. You’ll still be able to subscribe to either its base tier for $4.99 per month, or its ad-free tier for $6.99 per month. Why Warner Bros. Discovery is still offering a Discovery+ plan, but not an individual HBO plan, also isn’t clear.
Personally, I’d love the option to subscribe to HBO-only content for a lower price. These days, HBO is where I do most of my streaming, with shows like Succession, Barry, The Last of Us, and House of the Dragon, so I’d happily pay for a standalone service that offers these shows in 4K without the $20 price tag.
This article was originally published on April 13, 2023 and updated on May 23, 2023 with updated context and information.