In the midst of an ever-evolving landscape of streaming services, HBO Max is set to rebrand itself as Max on May 23 with a brand-new logo and programming. This change comes with exciting news for subscribers as they will now have access to a broader range of content under the Warner Bros. banner, including Discovery Plus content, along with the addition of new movies and TV shows.
Max to Offer Three Subscription Plans
Currently, HBO Max offers its subscribers two subscription tiers: With Ads for $10 a month ($100 per year) and Ad-Free at $16 monthly ($150 annually). Once Max launches in May, subscribers will have the opportunity to choose from three different subscription options: Ad-Lite, Ad-Free, and Ultimate. The new plans will be slightly different in how they are packaged and what they offer.
All plans will provide full access to the entire Max library, ensuring that there are no restrictions on what content subscribers can watch based on which Max subscription they have.
Max Subscription Plans and Pricing
Now, let’s take a look at Max’s pricing tiers and what each one has to offer. The table below outlines each plan and how users will be able to utilize two concurrent streams on the lower-priced plans:
| Ad-Lite | Ad-Free | Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $10 | $16 | $20 |
| Number of screens you can watch at the same time | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Number of offline downloads | 0 | 30 | 100 |
| HD available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4K Ultra HD available | No | No | Yes |
4K Will Cost More on Max
Currently, only a limited amount of 4K content is available on HBO Max’s ad-free plan. When Max launches, subscribers who wish to view anything in 4K will need to pay an additional $4 per month by upgrading to the Ultimate plan, which is packaged similarly to Netflix’s $20 Premium subscription. As of yet, it remains unknown how many titles will be available in 4K on Max.
How and When to Sign Up for Max
For existing HBO Max subscribers, there is no need to take any action in order to receive Max when it launches. The platform will automatically upgrade with the new features, and customers will see the changes when they open the app on May 23. Some subscribers may be prompted to download the updated version of Max.
If you are not currently a subscriber, you have the option to either sign up for HBO Max now and wait for the update, or register for a new Max plan when the service arrives next month.
Discovery Plus Bundle
It is important to note that while Discovery Plus will remain a standalone streaming service with no movies and TV shows from HBO, Warner, DC, or HBO Max on the platform, there may be select titles available on Max. At this time, Warner Bros. Discovery has not announced any bundles for customers who would like subscriptions to both Max and Discovery Plus.
Conclusion
Overall, HBO Max’s rebranding as Max is an exciting change that brings with it new programming and a wider range of content for subscribers to enjoy. While there are changes to subscription plans, there are no major price hikes, and subscribers now have the option to choose from three different subscription plans: Ad-Lite, Ad-Free, and Ultimate. Those who wish to view content in 4K will need to upgrade to the Ultimate plan and pay an additional $4 per month. For existing subscribers, there is no need to take any action to receive Max when it launches, and those who wish to change their subscription plans can do so through their billing provider.
