'Max' streaming service combines HBO Max & Discovery+, launches May 23
Andrew OrrWarner Bros. Discovery
The new service that combines HBO Max and Discovery+ has been officially announced and confirms the rumored "Max" name.
At a news conference on the Warner Bros. Studio property, Warner Bros. Discovery finally unveiled the announcement.
Initially announced in August 2022 after WarnerMedia merged with Discovery, executives made plans to launch a unified service to compete better with Apple TV+, Netflix, and other streaming services.
The original launch of the streamer wasn't set until the summer of 2023, but the company moved up the launch to May 23, according to Variety. The Discovery+ service will remain separate over concerns that the company would lose subscribers.
CEO David Zaslav confirmed the name of the combined service to be Max, which has long been rumored. Warner Bros. Discovery streaming chief JB Perrette revealed the May 23 launch date.
"Max is the one to watch, because it's home to shows that have a supersized effect on people and culture," Zaslav said during the presentation. "It's streaming's version of must-see TV."
Max prices
There will be several pricing tiers for the Max streamer.
- Max Ad Lite for $9.99 a month or $99.99 per year
- Max Ad Free for $15.99 a month or $149.99 per year
- Max Ultimate Ad Free for $19.99 a month or $199.99 per year
The Max Ad-Lite plan will let users have two streams running at once, 1080p resolution for content and 5.1 surround sound quality. Meanwhile, the Max Ad Free plan has the same benefits and lets people have up to 30 offline downloads.
At the highest tier, the premium Max Ultimate Ad Free offers up to four simultaneous streams, up to 4K resolution, 100 maximum offline downloads, and Dolby Atmos sound quality.
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22 Comments
What is exactly on Discovery streaming that I can’t get on my Discovery cable channel? Unlimited reruns of Moonshiners? It seems to have become a repository for junk TV.
I guess it shouldn't be surprising that, in addition to confirming the truly daft scenario already rumored prior to the announcement, they're also following Netflix's way-behind-the-curve practice of charging a premium for 4K screen resolution, which is the current standard minimum resolution for almost all TVs, except those that are too small to physically be able to tell the difference. Maybe they should charge extra for color TV pictures as well.
Many people currently have access to HBO Max, including 4K and Dolby Atmos sound, as part of their HBO subscription on cable. Which pricing tier will they be moved to on "Max"?
Though I have GB Internet and 4K TVs, I refuse to pay a premium for 4K streaming. Especially, since I wasn't seeing a better picture.
When Netflix announced the pricing change, I downgraded Netflix and let the TV upscale it.
When they figure out how to stream 4K and it looks like the TV demo reels then I'll consider it, maybe.
Question: Why would someone waste their money paying for both cable and HBO Max? Perhaps if you care about sports or local news?
So, HBO is one of the most recognized brand names in entertainment and they decided the best thing to do was delete that from their branding for streaming?
That would be like Apple renaming their service to just TV+
$20 a month for 4K? Yeah F you too, dudes.
I read their NYT article explaining their rational in dropping “HBO” from the brand name and adding tons of crappy reality TV:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/business/media/max-streaming-warner-hbo.html
…they feel their audience is too limited due to be associated with high-quality programming. Insane. It’s like BMW saying they’d sell more cars if they made cheaper, crummier vehicles and then advertising that they not all about premium vehicles. Well, yeah. But that isn’t why your customers sought you out. That isn’t your brand.
Pandering to Wall Street customer growth numbers by execs with no vision. I won’t be renewing after my previous annual promo expires.