Max (streaming service)

Max
Logo for the Max service.
Logo used since 2023
Screenshot
Max website on June 4, 2023
FormerlyHBO Max (2020–2023)
Type of site
OTT streaming platform
Available in30 languages
List of languages
Predecessor(s)
HeadquartersNew York City, New York,
U.S.
Country of originUnited States
Area servedUnited States, Latin America, Caribbean, and parts of Europe (see full list of countries)
Owner
Key people
  • David Zaslav (President and CEO, Warner Bros. Discovery)
  • Casey Bloys (CEO, Chairman)
ParentWarner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and Interactive Entertainment
URLmax.com
RegistrationRequired
UsersIncrease 76.8 million[a] (as of March 31, 2022)
Launched
  • May 27, 2020 (2020-05-27) (as HBO Max)
  • May 23, 2023 (2023-05-23) (as Max)
Current statusActive

Max, formerly and commonly referred as HBO Max,[b] is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. It is a proprietary unit of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment, which is itself a division of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).[2] Max first launched (as HBO Max) in the United States on May 27, 2020.

The platform offers content from the libraries of Warner Bros., Discovery Channel, HBO, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Eurosport, and their related brands. The service also carries first-run original programming under the "Max Originals" banner, programming from the HBO pay television service, and content acquired via either third-party library deals (such as those with film studios for pay television rights) or co-production agreements (including, among others, those with BBC Studios and Sesame Workshop).

When the service was first launched as HBO Max, it succeeded both HBO Now, a previous HBO SVOD service; and HBO Go, the TV Everywhere streaming platform for HBO pay television subscribers. In the United States, HBO Now subscribers and HBO pay television subscribers were migrated to HBO Max at no additional charge, subject to availability and device support. HBO Max also supplanted the streaming component of DC Entertainment's DC Universe service, with its original series being migrated to HBO Max as Max Originals. The HBO Max service began to expand into international markets in 2021.

According to AT&T,[c] HBO and HBO Max had a combined total of 69.4 million paying subscribers globally on June 30, 2021, including 43.5 million HBO Max subscribers in the U.S., 3.5 million HBO-only U.S. subscribers (primarily commercial customers like hotels), and 20.5 million subscribers to either HBO Max or HBO by itself in other countries.[3] By the end of 2021, HBO and HBO Max had a combined total of 73.8 million paying global subscribers.[4][5] At the end of Q1 2022, HBO and HBO Max had 76.8 million global subscribers.[6]

Since the April 2022 merger of WarnerMedia with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery, Max is one of the combined company's two flagship streaming services, the other being Discovery+ (which primarily focuses on factual and reality programming from the Discovery brands). WBD initially announced plans for HBO Max and Discovery+ to merge in 2023, but the company ultimately chose to retain Discovery+. As part of the decision, WBD has migrated some Discovery+ shows to Max, while also leaving them on Discovery+. WBD went on to replace HBO Max with a newly rebranded service that launched first in the United States on May 23, 2023, shortening the service's name to "Max", introducing a redesigned user interface, and adding more Discovery content among other new series and films. HBO Max would rebrand to Max in Europe (the last countries it was still HBO Max) in 2024.


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  1. ^ Spangler, Todd (April 12, 2023). "HBO Max to Be Renamed 'Max' With Addition of Discovery+ Content". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  2. ^ Maddaus, Gene (February 24, 2023). "'South Park' Lawsuit: Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Paramount Global Over Licensing Dispute". Variety. Variety Media. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Hayes, Dade (January 5, 2022). "HBO Max And HBO Hit 73.8M Global Subscribers At End Of 2021, Topping Company Forecasts – Update". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  4. ^ "HBO Max & HBO Reach 73.8 Million Subscribers Globally". Cord Cutters News. January 5, 2022. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  5. ^ "HBO Max and HBO Reach 76.8 Million Global Subscribers". Cord Cutters News. April 21, 2022. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.