Meet Max: What you can watch on the new app that combines HBO Max and Discovery+
HBO Max #HBOMax
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HBO Max is dead. Long live Max.
The streaming service formerly known as HBO Max is officially relaunched as Max, which combines existing programming, such as “House of the Dragon,” with content from Discovery+ (“The Property Brothers”). The Überstreamer follows the 2022 merger of their parent companies, WarnerMedia and Discovery, now known as Warner Bros. Discovery.
But what does the new Max mean for existing subscribers of HBO Max or Discovery+? What happens to your favorite shows and movies? Will prices increase? Here’s everything you need to know about the “new” streaming service, which brings together a diverse array of content, from “Naked and Afraid” to “The White Lotus.”
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When does HBO Max become Max? What happens to existing subscribers?
As of May 23, HBO Max is rebranded and replaced by Max. Users should still be able to access the service using their existing passwords and logins on their devices. You won’t pay any more for Max than you did for HBO Max, at least until November 2023. Your settings and watch history should stay the same, and you should be able to pick up where you left off for any show or movie you were in the middle of enjoying. HBO cable subscribers, who get a free HBO Max subscription, will now have a free Max subscription.
More: HBO Max and Discovery+ are now one ‘Max’
What can I watch on Max?
Max includes all programming from both HBO Max and Discovery+. That means you’ll find episodes of “Succession,” “Hacks” and “The Last of Us” alongside “Love It or List It,” “90-Day Fiancé,” “Dr. Pimple Popper” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.” It also includes many recent and classic Warner Bros. films such as “The Batman” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Some new content will be available as of May 23, including the revival of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s “Clone High,” “Gremlins” sequel series “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai” and “SmartLess,” a docuseries following Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes as they record their podcast on the road.
Here is a breakdown of all plan options and prices:
Will I still be able to get Discovery+ as a standalone service? What about HBO Max?
Yes. Discovery+ is still available to subscribe to separately, for $4.99 a month (or $6.99 ad-free). But a standalone version of HBO Max without the Discovery content is not available.
Is Max going to cancel or drop my favorite shows and movies as HBO Max did?
HBO Max made controversial cost-cutting decisions last year that included shelving the mostly-finished “Batgirl” film and removing shows like “Westworld” from the streaming service (Disney+ recently followed suit). Several projects were canceled to take advantage of tax write-offs, enabling the company to deduct the value of production costs for projects it deemed unpromising or that weren’t prompting new subscriber sign-ups. However, the compant says those removals won’t be a major part of its strategy moving forward.
Is a ‘Harry Potter’ reboot coming to Max?
Yes. Executives in April announced a plan for a decade-long TV series adaptation of “Harry Potter” with new actors in the iconic roles, and executive produced by author J.K. Rowling. Other expected new shows for Max include “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,” a new “Game of Thrones” spinoff, produced by George R.R. Martin; a series about Colin Farrell’s Batman villain “The Penguin”; “It” prequel series “Welcome to Derry”; and an undetermined new “Big Bang Theory” spinoff.
More: Here’s everything we know about the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series so far
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meet Max: What you can watch on the new app that combines HBO Max and Discovery+