After months of speculation, Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that HBO Max will change its name and brand to Max starting May 23, 2023, bringing new content from Discovery+ channels such as HGTV, Discovery Channel and Food Network.
Additionally, Max will include improved performance, an easier sign-in process, profile PINs for adult profiles, new genre hubs, and smarter recommendations.
Along with all the new shows and platform improvements, there is a different pricing system. However, if you’ve already subscribed to HBO Max to watch The Last of Us and Succession, you might be wondering what that means for you.
We’ve gathered everything you need to know. You can also check out our guide on cracking down on Netflix password sharing.
Will the price of Max be different from HBO Max?
Yes, but first we’ll explain what this means for new customers, as things will work differently for existing subscribers.
HBO Max currently has two tiers. These are:
- Ad-supported: $9.99 per month/$99.99 per year – 1080p resolution, no offline downloads
- Ad-free: $15.99 per month/$149.99 per year – 4K resolution, offline downloads available
As of May 23, 2023, these plans will become as follows:
- Max Ad-Lite: $9.99 per month/$99.99 per year – 1080p resolution, no offline downloads, two simultaneous streams, 5.1 surround sound quality
- Ad-free Max – $15.99 per month / $149.99 per year – 1080p resolution, up to 30 offline downloads, two simultaneous streams, 5.1 surround sound quality
- Ad-Free Max Ultimate – $19.99 per month/$199.99 per year – 4K resolution, up to 100 offline downloads, four simultaneous streams, Dolby Atmos sound quality available
So 4K content and a higher number of offline downloads are being moved to a more expensive plan from the end of May. If you’re not currently an HBO Max subscriber, now might be a good time to sign up because you can get more bang for your buck.
Will existing HBO Max subscribers be charged more for Max?
Not immediately. HBO subscribers will still have access to all of their features for six months after Max launches on May 23.
That means if you’re currently paying $15.99 per month for 4K streaming, you can keep that price until the end of this year. After that, you can either downgrade to the Max Ad-Free plan – the price will stay the same, but you’ll lose access to 4K streaming. Alternatively, you can pay an additional $4 per month/$40 per year for the Ultimate Ad-Free plan.
How do I switch from HBO Max to Max?
I hope you don’t have to do anything. The interface should automatically migrate to Max, although the company has indicated that some people may need to redownload the app if there is a technical issue.
Subscribers, passwords, usernames, profiles, billing, and even watch history all need to be kept. Customers should receive an email prior to launch reminding them of all this information.
I subscribe to Discovery+, will I have access to Max?
No – Discovery+ will remain as a standalone platform, so customers will not be migrated to Max.
For reference, Discovery+ costs $4.99 per month for ad-supported viewing and $6.99 per month for an ad-free subscription.
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