HBO and Warner Brothers Discovery New Streaming Service “Max”

Kendal McCloud

On Wednesday, HBO Max and Discovery+ unveiled its new collaborative streaming service simply called, “Max.” The new streaming service will combine HBO’s scripted dramas, such as “Succession,” “White Lotus,” and “House of Dragon,” with Discovery+’s unscripted shows which include cooking, home improvement, and survival shows.

“Max is the one to watch, because it’s home to shows that have a supersized effect on people and culture,” Discovery CEO David Zaslav said during a presentation in Burbank, California. “It’s streaming’s version of must-see TV.”

The streaming service will cost $15.99 a month which is the price of HBO Max now. There will also be several price tiers including a cheaper price with advertising.

The service will add several new series, including DC Comics series “The Penguin,” sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” and a new series from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network. The company also announced a new “Game of Thrones” spinoff prequel and a series based off of the “Harry Potter” franchise with J.K. Rowling’s involvement.

The new streaming service is a big deal for Warner Brothers Discovery, which Zaslav formed last April with the blockbuster merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery. He sold shareholders on the deal in part by arguing that the combined company could have a killer app. Two years ago, the media mogul David Zaslav said he planned to compete with the streaming services Netflix and Disney. The goal he said in 2021 was to be “one of the top streaming companies in the world.”

“It gives us a huge opportunity as a company,” Zaslav said. “Together, these studios allow us to control our own destiny. They give us a long-term business optionality. We are this industry’s biggest and most successful maker of content.”

Max will include new tech features including the launch of a default kids profile that comes with parental controls. The company also announced expanded personalization, a new content navigation menu at the top of the app and prominent promotions of featured brands and genres.

On the services launch date, May 23, HBO Max will update as the Max app for the majority of users.

“Some users on certain platforms will be prompted to make the switch when they enter the app,” JB Perrette, CEO of streaming and games said.

Discovery+ as an app will remain unaffected. Perrette noted that the company doesn’t “want to leave any of its profitable subscribers behind.”