Streaming service Max will become the main home of all of Warner Bros Discovery’s content. The service debuts in the USA next month before rolling out globally.
The new service, with the tagline “the one to watch”, will bring together the content catalogues of both HBO Max and Discovery+ giving subscribers access to everything from drama to sport, via reality and factual shows from brands including HBO, Cartoon Network, Discovery, HGTV, TLC and more.
US subscribers will be able to gain access to the service from 23rd May, with more than 40 new titles and TV show seasons every month, according to Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) at a press event on Wednesday.
Subscribers in the US will have the choice between three options, which provides an early insight to the options that may become available elsewhere in the world:
- Max Ad-Lite – Two concurrent streams, 1080p HD TV, no downloads, 5.1 surround sound ($9.99 month).
- Max Ad Free – Two concurrent streams, 1080p HD TV, up to 30 offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound ($15.99 a month).
- Max Ultimate Ad Free – Four concurrent streams, 4K UHD resolution, 100 offline downloads, Dolby Atmos sound quality ($19.99 a month).
Discovery+ standalone option
But for viewers unwilling to pay extra to access the full set of WBD content, Discovery+ will continue as a standalone product in the USA. The move, announced at the press event, is a nod to price-sensitive consumers who might have cancelled altogether if they had been forced to move to Max.
UK and Ireland
In the UK and Ireland, Max’s predecessor HBO Max has been unable to launch due to an ongoing deal with Sky. But Discovery+ continues as a standalone service, with the addition of extra sport this summer, when BT Sport becomes TNT Sport.
Details of Max’s global rollout are to be confirmed. WBD will only be able to offer all of its channels and content via Max in the UK and Ireland from 2025 after its deal with Sky expires.
In the meantime, any WBD streaming service operating in the UK and Ireland will exclude drama, children’s and other entertainment content. HBO hits including Succession will continue to be available on Sky’s platforms.
Marc Thornham