New 'Max' Streaming Service Launches, Replacing HBO Max

[MacRumors]

Warner Bros. today launches its new "Max" streaming service that merges HBO Max and Discovery+ content, and the new rebranded app is already appearing on Apple devices and can be downloaded from the App Store.

Announced last month, Max includes all 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. It also rolls in Discovery favorites from TV brands including HGTV, the Food Network, TLC, ID, Magnolia Network, Discovery, and more.

The new Max service also claims to feature smarter recommendations, improved app performance, easier sign-in and navigation, new profile PINs for adult profiles, and new Hubs and genres.

Warner Bros. says that existing HBO Max subscribers that subscribe through HBO will have access to Max at the same price as their HBO Max subscription, with more information available on the HBO Max website. Those who subscribe through a TV, mobile, or wireless provider will be informed of any price or plan changes.

On some platforms, the HBO Max app will automatically be updated to the Max app, and on others, users will be prompted to download the Max app when attempting to open the HBO Max app. Discovery+ customers can sign up as new Max customers, as those subscriptions will not transition. Discovery+ will continue to be available as a standalone service.

The Max streaming service is being offered at three different price plans:

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

The full list of 4K content available to stream on Max's Ultimate Ad-Free tier can be found in the Warner Bros. Discovery press release. Max can be streamed to a wealth of smart TVs, set-top boxes, and consoles. In terms of Apple devices, Max is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

Based on initial user reports, it looks like the Max app for Apple TV does not synchronize with the TV app's Up Next section, and the service has reverted to using a custom player instead of the native tvOS player. Some users have also reported problems logging in to their existing HBO accounts on Apple TV, while others are having trouble seeing 4K HDR content.

HBO has existed under several brands in recent years. HBO GO and HBO Now streaming services were merged into HBO Max in 2020. Then a 2022 merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia paved the way for the decision to combine HBO Max with Discovery+. Hence we now have Max.

Max is currently only available in the U.S., but there are plans to launch Max in more countries, including Latin America and the Caribbean, by the end of the year. Max is expected to become available in Europe and South East Asia in 2024.

Article Link: New 'Max' Streaming Service Launches, Replacing HBO Max

 

[contacos]

Looks like they are using a completely different / stand alone backend as I can no longer login with my Mexican HBO Max account on the max.com website (automatically redirects from hbomax.com to max.com). So far it still works with the "old" HBO Max app (not the Max app). Let's see for how long ...

This SUCKS. I loved being able to watch the US HBO Max content instead of relying on what's available in Mexico and now I actually have to pretend to be in Mexico (VPN) to get access at all

 

[k1121j]

Lol isn’t 4K the default resolution now. I’ll pass

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Too expensive for 4K which is what a lot of people would want. These companies are going to price themselves out of business in the end.

 

[amaze1499]

Getting tired of these streaming subscription models. Content is still the same old stuff, laying around on dusty shelfs.

 

[Onimusha370]

Can’t wait to watch Max on my M1 Max Macs

 

[eilavid]

Why would they ever get rid of the “HBO” brand name?

 

[BuffaloTF]

Yayyyyyyy... downgrades at higher prices! Seriously, how are you going to launch with issues that the original app solved almost precisely 2 years ago?

 

[MrTangent]

Completely confuse customers and lose your trusted brand name. Great job, guys!

 

[daanodinot]

Looking at the video-streaming space, I know few other, once-promising, areas is tech that have turned into such an utter disappointment. No, actually I don't know any. Whatever Steve Jobs once meant with the nut he cracked - this ain't it. Even if we're never going to get an Apple Music for video, surely there must be a better model than this?

 

[AgentOSX]

Ha.

Doesn’t even work.

Sign in with the AT&T credentials and it logs you in but won’t give any content.

 

[nottorp]

Can they make up their minds or are they going to change the service name and app every 2 years?

 

[MrTangent]

Can they make up their minds or are they going to change the service name and app every 2 years?

Confuse the customer into quiet, paying submission.

 

[contacos]

Confuse the customer into quiet, paying submission.

It is especially strange since both apps are still listed. Like you can still download the HBO Max app as well.

 

[6787872]

what a joke. i would absolutely pay for reasonable costs/features but they just don't want to be reasonable.

i'll take my usenet and torrents.

 

[timber]

It's like Apple stopped using Apple as a brand name.

 

[Powerguru]

I want my CNN. Most trusted news.

 

[everybodylovesramen]

this is by far the dumbest rebranding effort i’ve ever seen.

 

[Bug-Creator]

Even if we're never going to get an Apple Music for video

Difference is that by the 90s making a music record had gone really cheap. Instead of multimillion studios with engineers and set musicians everyone with a computer and some talent could do it.
Most of the music ever since has been made that way and it took a decade or 2 before the big corps gave up those unearned extra profits.

With movies and TV-shows the trend is going the other way evermore bigger and elaborate productions where 1,000,000$ / episode is only feasible at the bottom end.

So no "everything for 9.99 a month" won't be happening anytime soon. At least not for current content.

 

[zapmymac]

I pay for hbo separately.
I pay for Discovery+ separately.

Wonder what the new price will (gouged) be?

 

[hovscorpion12]

I have HBO through Hulu. Curious if Hulu will update to allow the $19 price. Sucks if I have to cancel Hulu and order through the app

 

[TechnoMonk]

I get HBO max as free add on from ATT fiber internet. I wonder what the new price will be, if it is anything more than $3-5, I will opt out.

 

[docderwood]

"Not available in your area".....Nice. Another great tech execution by these idiots

 

[Gudi]

Why would they ever get rid of the “HBO” brand name?

Because brand names communicate quality promises and create customer expectations. You use a brand name when you know, your product will be of constant high quality and you can charge more for it by reminding customers who you are. If you're unsure, whether people will pay extra for your product and are fearful to invest enough to guarantee its longterm quality, then you better drop the brand name before it gets tarnished and customers revolt for not getting what was promised.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Why would they ever get rid of the “HBO” brand name?

Discovery took over Warner brothers, and other Warner TV brands. The deal is a year old, I guess they want to move in a different direction with streaming brand.