It’s time for Warner Bros. to find out. During a press event today, the company announced the name, launch date, price, new features, and upcoming content list.
The new streaming device is called the Max and it rolls out on May 23rd to subscribers in the US. It will launch in Latin America next and then in Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and other markets in 2024.
You’ll notice in the image above that the logo is a light blue color to reflect the WBD branding. Max also has a new slogan, “One to Watch”.
Fortunately, the pricing remains the same for HBO Max subscribers as the Max will cost $9.99 per month for the ad-supported tier and $15.99 per month for the ad-free plan.
There will also be a new subscription option for $19.99 per month. Dubbed “Max Ultimate Free,” the plan will offer 4K HDR video quality, the ability to stream on four devices simultaneously, and 100 offline downloads.
It’s possible — at least in our opinion — that WBD launched the plan to better compete with Netflix, which has a paid plan for $19.99 per month with Ultra HD video quality.
As WBD tries to increase its revenue, the company will likely count on enticing subscribers who are willing to pay more for these premium features. The company hinted at a higher-priced subscription in its third-quarter 2022 earnings call.
The company also announced a wave of new features coming to the Max that aim to improve the user experience. For example, Max will have parental controls in addition to a default child profile set up automatically for new subscribers.
As previously reported, Discovery+ will remain a standalone streaming service in the US, so Discovery+ subscribers don’t have to switch to a higher-priced subscription if they don’t want to. Discovery+ is still $4.99 per month with ads and $6.99 per month without ads.
In terms of content, Max subscribers will get access to thousands of titles from scripted HBO Max series like “Succession” and “Euphoria” to unscripted Discovery+ shows like “90 Day Fiancé” and “Fixer Upper,” among many others.
WBD also announced new original television programming coming to the service.
- Penguin: Spinoff Batman series featuring Colin Farrell as the infamous villain.
- The Big Bang Theory Project (unnamed): A new comedy series based on the popular IP.
- The Conjuring Project (unnamed): Drama series based on the movies set in the universe of “The Conjuring” at New Line Cinema.
- True Detective: The Night Country: Spinoff starring Jodie Foster and Callie Reese as lead investigators.
- How to be a bookie: TV series starring comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
- Smartless on the road: TV series about actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes on tour for their “SmartLess” podcast.
- Fixer Upper: Hotel: A new series featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines who will be renovating a historic building in downtown Waco.
- Love and translation: A TLC relationship series featuring three American men trying to hook up with 12 international women who don’t speak English.
- and more.
The company previously confirmed that it’s working on new titles for The Lord of the Rings franchise, a prequel series to Stephen King’s “It” movie and the Sherlock Holmes TV universe, among others. There will also be second seasons of popular HBO Max shows like “House of the Dragon,” “The Last of Us,” and “The White Lotus.”
WBD also officially confirmed today that the Harry Potter Max Original series is coming to the streaming service.
On April 7, four members of Congress sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting an investigation into the Warner Bros. merger. Discovery, which indicates possible anti-competitive behaviour.
According to the letter, Democratic Representatives Elizabeth Warren, David Cicilline, Joaquin Castro and Pramila Jayapal allege the merged company “enabled it to harm workers and increase barriers to entry in the media and entertainment industry.”
The $43 billion deal between WarnerMedia and Discovery officially closed in April 2022. Since then, the company has implemented various cost-cutting measures in order to reduce its huge debt burden. This included the swift closure of CNN+, removal of titles on HBO Max as well as numerous layoffs. According to lawmakers, about 850 employees have been laid off at CNN, CNN+ and WBD’s advertising sales division.
WBD reported its results for the fourth quarter in February, which showed a net loss of $2.1 billion, including $217 million from the broadcast segment. WBD generated $11 billion in revenue. HBO Max and Discovery + are yet to turn a profit.
The April 2023 letter comes less than two years after nearly 30 members of Congress sent a letter to the Justice Department on the same issue.
In December 2021, lawmakers warned the federal executive agency that the merger “raises significant antitrust concerns” and “threatens to enhance the combined company’s market power and significantly reduce competition in the media and entertainment industry, to the detriment of American consumers and workers,” according to the 2021 letter.