Everything you need to know about HBO Max becoming Max
After a merger that led to the shelving of several projects — including Batgirl — Warner Bros. Discovery announced its next big move: combining HBO Max and Discovery+ into one streaming service. That new streaming service's name? Max.
Warner Bros. Discovery announced several major developments about Max on Wednesday, Apr. 12, including what content to expect from Max and how much it will cost. It also announced the new projects we can expect down the line, like a Game of Thrones spin-off and a Harry Potter TV series. Here's what you need to know.
What is Max?
Max is the new streaming service that combines content from HBO Max, including HBO's original films and shows, and Discovery+, which houses programs from channels like HGTV and TLC.
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When does Max launch, and will I have to re-subscribe if I'm already subscribed to HBO Max?
Max launches May 23, but if you're already subscribed to HBO Max, you don't have to worry about dropping that and adding a new streaming service. Max is still just HBO Max, just minus the HBO (and plus shows like Dr. Pimple Popper). If you're a Discovery+ subscriber, you will have to sign up for Max if you want to access its content. However, the lower-priced Discovery+ will remain its own app, in addition to its content being available on Max.
How much will Max cost?
Like with HBO Max, Max will offer several subscription tiers. They are:
Max Ad Lite, for $9.99/month or $99.99/year. This option will include two concurrent streams, 1080p resolution, and 5.1 surround sound quality. It will not allow for offline downloads. This is the only tier with ads.
Max Ad Free, for $15.99/month or $149.99/year. This option will include two concurrent streams, 1080p resolution, 5.1 surround sound quality, and 30 offline downloads.
Max Ultimate Ad Free, for $19.99/month or $199.99/year. This option will include four concurrent streams, up to 4K UHD resolution, Dolby Atmos sound quality, and 100 offline downloads.
A new Harry Potter series is confirmed at Max.
It's barely been a decade since the final Harry Potter film was released, and author J.K. Rowling has tarnished the books' legacy with her transphobic comments. However, none of that has stopped Warner Bros. Discovery from ordering a Harry Potter television series. The show will be a "faithful adaptation" of the original books. I guess that means we're getting Peeves the Poltergeist?
We're getting another Game of Thrones spin-off.
After the success of Game of Thrones and prequel House of the Dragon, it's no surprise HBO wants to keep exploring Westeros. Warner Bros. Discovery announced that they've ordered a new prequel series titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight. Based on George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg, the series will follow Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg. Duncan and Egg's adventures take place about 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones, placing them after the events of House of the Dragon in the Westerosi timeline.
The Penguin is coming in 2024.
Colin Farrell's take on the Penguin from 2022's The Batman is getting his own spin-off series, which is officially in production. The teaser above shows off a few clips from the upcoming show, which will be a gritty crime drama in keeping with the tone of The Batman.
A Big Bang Theory project is also in the works.
At this point, we may never be free of bazinga. Max and Chuck Lorre are developing a new comedy series derived from The Big Bang Theory. The plot is under wraps at this point — perhaps we're getting Middle-Aged Sheldon?
We're also getting a Conjuring TV series.
Another spin-off in development is a drama series based in the universe of The Conjuring, which includes The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun. No plot details have been announced yet, but the series will be executive produced by James Wan and Peter Safran.
The new season of True Detective is almost here.
Warner Bros. Discovery also teased a quick look at True Detective: Night Country, starring Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, and Fiona Shaw. This season brings us to Alaska, where detectives investigate the disappearance of eight men from an Arctic research station, all while confronting the darkness within themselves.
More HBO and Discovery content is in the works.
Aside from these major sequels and spin-offs, expect more narrative TV from HBO's side of things, and more reality TV from Discovery's. Upcoming HBO projects include The Regime, starring Kate Winslet, and The Sympathizer, from Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar. Cartoon Network will bring us Gremlins prequel series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai and an animated version of Peter & The Wolf. Meanwhile, HGTV and TLC have planned new offerings like Barbie Dreamhouse Challenges and Love and Translation.
Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Television Critics Association, as well as a Tomatometer-approved critic.
