HBO Max
Now "Max"Premium Streaming Entertainment Platform
HBO Max, rebranded as "Max" in May 2023, is a premium streaming platform owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The service combines HBO's award-winning original programming with a vast library of content from Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, and Discovery's reality programming.
Quick Facts
- Launched:
- May 27, 2020
- Rebranded:
- May 23, 2023 (to "Max")
- Owner:
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- Headquarters:
- New York City, NY
- Subscribers:
- 97.7M+ global (2024)
- Price Range:
- $9.99-$19.99/month
- Availability:
- 60+ countries
- 4K/HDR:
- Yes (Premium tier)
Contents
History and Development
📅 Timeline
HBO Max launches in the United States with 10,000+ hours of content
Warner Bros. announces all 2021 theatrical releases will premiere simultaneously on HBO Max
Expansion to Latin America and the Caribbean
WarnerMedia merges with Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery
Rebrand to "Max" combining HBO Max and Discovery+ content
HBO Max was launched by WarnerMedia (then owned by AT&T) as a direct-to-consumer streaming service building on HBO's reputation for premium content. The platform was designed to compete with Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming giants by leveraging Warner Bros.' extensive content library spanning nearly a century.
The service made headlines in December 2020 when Warner Bros. announced that all of its 2021 theatrical slate—including major releases like Dune, The Matrix Resurrections, and The Suicide Squad—would premiere simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. This controversial "Project Popcorn" strategy was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on theatrical exhibition.
Following the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, new leadership under CEO David Zaslav initiated major changes, including content purges, project cancellations, and ultimately the 2023 rebrand to "Max" to incorporate Discovery's reality and lifestyle content alongside HBO's prestige programming.
Content Library
Max offers one of the most diverse and prestigious content libraries in streaming, drawing from multiple major entertainment brands under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella.
Warner Bros. Films
Access to nearly a century of Warner Bros. theatrical releases, including franchises like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, DC Universe, and classic films.
- • DC Extended Universe films
- • Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts
- • The Lord of the Rings trilogy
- • Classic Hollywood library
HBO Programming
Complete catalog of HBO's legendary original series and documentaries, representing decades of award-winning television.
- • Game of Thrones & House of the Dragon
- • The Sopranos, The Wire, True Detective
- • Succession, The Last of Us
- • HBO Documentary Films
Animation & Family
Extensive collection from Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Looney Tunes, and Studio Ghibli films (select regions).
- • Adventure Time, Regular Show
- • Rick and Morty, Primal
- • Looney Tunes catalog
- • Studio Ghibli collection (US)
Discovery Content
Reality, lifestyle, and documentary programming from Discovery's networks including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and more.
- • 90 Day Fiancé franchise
- • Fixer Upper, Property Brothers
- • Deadliest Catch, Gold Rush
- • Planet Earth, Blue Planet
HBO Originals & Max Originals
HBO has long been synonymous with prestige television, producing some of the most critically acclaimed and culturally impactful series in TV history. Max continues this tradition while also developing new exclusive content.
🏆 Iconic HBO Series
Drama Series
- • Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
- • House of the Dragon (2022-present)
- • The Last of Us (2023-present)
- • Succession (2018-2023)
- • The White Lotus (2021-present)
- • Euphoria (2019-present)
- • The Sopranos (1999-2007)
- • The Wire (2002-2008)
Limited Series & More
- • Mare of Easttown
- • Chernobyl
- • True Detective (Seasons 1-4)
- • Big Little Lies
- • Band of Brothers
- • Watchmen
- • Sharp Objects
- • The Night Of
🎭 Max Originals
Since the rebrand, Max has developed exclusive content that wouldn't traditionally fit the HBO brand, including reality competition shows, international productions, and family-friendly content.
- • The Penguin (DC series)
- • Full Circle
- • Love & Death
- • Tokyo Vice (Season 2)
- • Velma (animated)
- • FBoy Island (reality)
Subscription Tiers
Max With Ads
per month
- ✓Full content library with ads
- ✓1080p Full HD streaming
- ✓2 concurrent streams
- ✗No offline downloads
- ✗No 4K content
Max Ad-Free
per month
- ✓No advertisements
- ✓1080p Full HD streaming
- ✓2 concurrent streams
- ✓30 offline downloads
- ✗No 4K content
Max Ultimate
per month
- ✓No advertisements
- ✓4K Ultra HD + Dolby Atmos
- ✓4 concurrent streams
- ✓100 offline downloads
- ✓Best video & audio quality
💡 Annual Plans Available
Save up to 16% with annual subscriptions. Discounted rates: $99.99/year (With Ads), $149.99/year (Ad-Free), or $199.99/year (Ultimate).
Technology & Features
🎬 Viewing Quality
- 4K Ultra HD: Available on Ultimate tier for select content
- HDR Support: HDR10, Dolby Vision on compatible devices
- Dolby Atmos: Immersive audio on select titles
- Adaptive Streaming: Auto-adjusts quality based on connection
📱 Platform Availability
- • iOS & Android mobile apps
- • Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV
- • Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.)
- • Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
- • Web browsers (desktop)
- • Chromecast & AirPlay support
✨ Key Features
- • User Profiles: Up to 5 profiles per account
- • Kids Mode: Age-appropriate content filtering
- • Watch Party: Co-watch with friends remotely
- • Continue Watching: Sync across devices
- • Personalized Recommendations: AI-powered suggestions
- • Curated Collections: Hand-picked content hubs
- • Offline Downloads: Watch without internet
- • Parental Controls: PIN protection & restrictions
Market Position
Max competes in the premium streaming tier alongside Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video. Its positioning emphasizes quality over quantity, leveraging HBO's reputation for prestige content while offering a broader library than traditional HBO.
📊 Subscriber Growth
Global Subscribers (Q4 2024)
US Subscribers
International Subscribers
Countries Available
Competitive Advantages
✓ Strengths
- • HBO's unmatched prestige content reputation
- • Warner Bros. film library (100 years)
- • DC Universe exclusivity
- • Same-day theatrical releases (select films)
- • Studio Ghibli collection (US)
- • Discovery's reality content depth
⚠ Challenges
- • Higher price point than competitors
- • Smaller content library than Netflix
- • Less family content than Disney+
- • Content removals for tax write-offs
- • International expansion still limited
- • Brand confusion after rebrand
Awards & Recognition
HBO has won more Emmy Awards than any other network or streaming service, with HBO and Max content continuing to dominate awards ceremonies.
🏆 Emmy Awards
Emmy Awards (2020-2024)
Succession (Total Wins)
Game of Thrones (Total Wins)
Recent Award-Winning Series
- • Succession: Best Drama Series (2020, 2022, 2023)
- • The Last of Us: 8 Emmy wins (2024)
- • The White Lotus: 10 Emmy wins (2022-2023)
- • Hacks: Outstanding Comedy Series (2021)
Critical Acclaim
- • Consistently highest-rated streaming platform
- • Multiple Peabody Award winners
- • Golden Globe domination
- • Critics Choice Awards leader
Future Developments
Warner Bros. Discovery continues to invest in Max as its primary streaming platform, with plans for international expansion, increased original content production, and technological improvements.
🎬 Upcoming Content (2026)
- • House of the Dragon Season 3
- • The Last of Us Season 2
- • Peacemaker Season 2
- • The Penguin Series
- • It: Welcome to Derry Prequel Series
- • A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (GoT spinoff)
- • Multiple DC Universe projects
- • Harry Potter TV series (in development)
🌍 Expansion Plans
- • Further international rollout in Asia and Africa
- • Localized content production for regional markets
- • Potential Discovery+ full integration
- • Enhanced sports content (select markets)
🔧 Technology Improvements
- • Enhanced recommendation algorithms
- • Improved user interface and navigation
- • Expanded 4K/HDR content library
- • Better integration between HBO and Discovery content
Experience Premium Streaming
HBO's legendary content meets Discovery's vast library on Max