HBO Max and Discovery Plus merged into one streaming service called Max on May 23, 2023. The new service replaced HBO Max, but Discovery Plus continues to remain as a separate platform.
Ad-supported and ad-free Max plans remain the same price as those on HBO Max. A new Ultimate tier with 4K streaming support is now available for $20 a month. Existing HBO Max accounts will automatically migrate to Max.com/providers
On its own, Discovery Plus still costs $5/month with ads or $7/month without ads. The service offers shows from Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, and HGTV, along with several original series.
During its Q2 2022 earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery outlined how HBO Max and Discovery Plus complement each other by appealing to different demographics. Now that they're combined, the new service has the potential to attract a wider range of subscribers by offering all of HBO Max's scripted content and Discovery Plus' unscripted titles.
HBO Max is now called Max. The relaunched streaming service merges HBO's library of original series with content from Discovery Plus, along with a huge catalog of blockbuster movies and TV shows.
The service costs $20/month for the Ultimate plan with ad-free 4K support, $16/month for ad-free HD streaming, or $10/month for ad-supported HD streaming. Most people who already have HBO through cable automatically get Max without having to pay extra.
In its previous form, HBO Max was already one of the best streaming services, and the "Max" rebranding and expansion should add a bit more value. Its large selection of hit movies, prestige series, and unscripted content makes it a strong competitor in the increasingly crowded digital entertainment market.
Below, we've detailed all the basics to help you decide if Max is right for your needs, including pricing, content selection, and what the Discovery Plus merger means for existing Max.com/signin members.