What is Max? Plans, Features, Pricing and More in 2023

Warner Bros Discovery has finally given us more information on the new combined streaming service that is set to launch this Spring. The service is going to be called “Max simply.” It’s going to combine HBO MAX and Discovery+ into a single mega streaming service. And in this article, we’re going to go over everything you need to know.

What is Max?

To put it simply, Max is going to be the name of the combined service of HBO MAX and Discovery+. Warner Media (now back to its original name of Warner Brothers) merged with Discovery last year, which is why we’re seeing this merger of the streaming services.

While HBO MAX was the merger of Warner Media and HBO, putting all of the Warner Bros library onto HBO. Now, with this rebranding, the library is growing even more. With Discovery content being added. That means content from HGTV, TLC, and much more will be available.

Will it replace HBO MAX?

Yes. When Max launches, it will replace the existing HBO MAX app on all platforms in the US, much like HBO MAX replaced HBO Go on all platforms.

Will discovery+ be replaced too?

Yes and no. Discovery+ content will be added to Max, but the streaming service Discovery+ will continue to remain on its own. WBD executives decided to keep it around even after Max launched because they didn’t want to lose those customers who only want Discovery content. And considering Discovery+ starts at $4.99, that would be a pretty big price increase for Max. Going from $5 to $10 per month.

When did Max Launch?

Max launched in the US on May 23, 2023. It took over the HBO MAX app. So on May 23, you’ll see the app get a slight makeover (we don’t yet know how much of a makeover), with all the new content.

Where will Max be available?

At launch, it’ll only be available in the US. WBD has stated that it will start to roll Max out to international markets where HBO MAX is currently available, starting with Latin America in the latter part of 2023. With other countries across Europe and Asia in 2024.

How much will Max cost?

Pricing for Max is pretty similar to what HBO Max was. But now, WBD has added a third tier. Here’s how the tiers break down.

Max Ad-Lite: $9.99/month or $99.99/year. 2 concurrent streams, 1080p resolution, 30 offline downloads, and 5.1 surround sound.
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. Four concurrent streams, up to 4K UHD resolution, 100 offline downloads, Dolby Atmos sound quality

What kind of content will be available?

To put it simply, everything on HBO MAX and Discovery+ will be available on Max. But it’ll also bring in some other content and originals too.

Max will bring HBO Max’s can’t-miss programming and Discovery+’s engaging real-life entertainment content together to create a complete viewing experience for all ages. The service will feature a regular freshness of content with an average of more than 40 new titles and seasons every month. With a library of iconic favorites, Max will offer a world-class collection of globally recognized brands, franchises, series, and characters, making it a truly unprecedented offering. Audiences will be able to explore the iconic worlds of HBO, the DC Universe, and Harry Potter, plus hit movies, original series, and fan-favorite genres like true crime, reality, food, and comedy, all in one place.

“The Max service is a wide-ranging mosaic of content that will be unmatched in the breadth, reach, and excellence of its offerings,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content. “We are unique because we have the best in all categories across the board by any measure – be they ratings, awards, 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.”

Newly announced titles include a Max Original Harry Potter series, a faithful adaptation of the beloved original book series by J.K. Rowling, who will serve as executive producer; a 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; a Max Original drama series based on The Conjuring films; Magnolia Network’s Fixer Upper: The Hotel; Discovery Channel’s Survive the Raft; Max Original Peter & the Wolf from Bono; Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty: The Anime; Investigation Discovery’s Lost Women of Highway 20; Cartoon Network’s Tiny Toons Looniversity; and TLC’s Love & Translation.

Max also provided first looks today at additional highly anticipated upcoming titles including Max Originals The Penguin starring Colin Farrell; HBO Original drama series The Sympathizer, an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name; 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; Max Original six-part docuseries SmartLess: On The Road, following Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes as they take viewers on an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the sold-out live tour of their podcast; and Max Original kids series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. In addition to Max original programming, a first look at HGTV’s four-part Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge hosted by Ashley Graham, which will also be available to stream on Max, was shown during the presentation.

What features will be available at launch?

While HBO MAX has been out for a few years already and has put out some really nice features, Warner Bros Discovery is also promising some features for the launch of Max. These include:

Premium Video Playback: A new video playback experience will deliver smooth and cinematic video to users, wherever and however they prefer to watch. Whether binging their favorites, watching offline on the go, or tuning in on Sunday nights for the latest episode of Succession, users can count on seamlessly diving into their preferred worlds.
Personalization: Max will expand personalization beyond just the home page, offering a differentiated and high-performing experience for every user across the whole service. By significantly increasing our investment in machine learning while maintaining an editorial voice, Max will deliver a unique human and machine approach that will help surface the best content for our users.
More Prominent Kids Experience: At launch, Max will introduce a default kids profile for new subscribers along with accompanying parental controls. Parents can choose to customize settings and select to limit content for the kids profile by ratings: little kids (tv-y), big kids (tv-y7, tvy7-fv), big kids plus (tv-g, g), preteens (tv-pg/pg), or teens (tv-14, pg-13). Parents will also have the ability to set individual profile PINs to lock access to their adult profiles, as well as a parent code to lock their children inside of the Max Kids experience.
Simplified Navigation: Max works harder so viewers don’t have to. Streamlined categories, improved content details pages, shortcuts, dedicated brand hubs, and thematic content rails make exploring the app and discovering new interests easier. The updated design, coupled with a better personalization engine, will help consumers quickly find and discover the best of what they are looking for.
4K UHD: The Ultimate Ad-Free tier of Max will have an expanded catalog of content available in 4K UHD, including key programming such as Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Dark Knight Trilogy and more. All Warner Bros. movies released this year and going forward will also be available in 4K UHD when they arrive on Max following their theatrical windows.

You can check out Max’s new website here.