HBO Max and Discovery+ will merge to new 'Max' streaming service on May 23
It's official. Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed that the new merged streaming service will simply be called Max. It will launch in the US on May 23. 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos will cost extra. "Max is the one to watch", said Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, and added that Max will have the largest TV library in the world, with more than 40 new titles or seasons per month. On top of the content from HBO, Warner Bros and DC Studios, Max will offer content from HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC and ID. It will continue to produce original content, now branded "Max Originals". - "HBO is not TV, HBO is HBO. It needs to stay that way, which is why we will privilege it in the product experience, and also not push it to the breaking point," said JB Perrette, President & CEO of Global Streaming, WBD.
HBO is not TV, the company said at the presentation of MaxHarry Potter series, GoT prequel
Max announced a Harry Potter series (teaser below) with J.K. Rowling as executive producer and the Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight. Other upcoming shows include a Batman spinoff called Penguin (teaser below), a Conjuring series, How to Be a Bookie, a new Chip and Joanna Gaines show, Love & Translation, Ciao House from the Food Network. In addition, it announced Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai and Peter & The Wolf animated series, a new The Big Bang Theory spinoff, The Regime (teaser below), The Sympathizer (teaser below) and True Detective: Night Country (teaser below). It also highlighted Rick and Morty The Anime. - "From the biggest superheroes to real life champions; from culture-shaping dramas to taste-shaping entertainment; from fantastical realms to the realest of worlds, Max will offer an unrivaled range of choice," said JB Perrette, President & CEO, Global Streaming & Games, WBD. "This new brand signals an important change from two narrower products, HBO Max and discovery+, to our broader content offering and consumer proposition. While each product offered something for some people, Max will have a broad array of quality choices for everybody." There will be a new improved app with an enhanced user experience and simpler navigation including genre hubs and personalized recommendations. There will also be profiles including kids profiles.
A glimpse of the new Max app
A glimpse of the new Max app
A glimpse of the new Max app4K will cost extra
Existing HBO Max subscribers will not get a price increase from their $16/month plan and will have "their current plan features for a minimum of six months following launch". However, new members will have to pay $20 per month for the full package that is required for 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos.
Dune: Part 2 will be available on Max in 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos
The company said that more content will be available in 4K including Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Dark Knight Trilogy. All new theatrical Warner Bros movies will also arrive on Max in 4K HDR later.
Max will launch first in the US on May 23, and later in other regions.
