Max is HBO Max again. What will change for me?
The streaming service that's home to HBO content, Warner Bros. movies, all 10 seasons of "Friends" and a smattering of reality TV has been rechristened for a second time in its short life. The service debuted as HBO Max in 2020, only to have its name changed to Max in 2023 as a result of a merger between Discovery Networks and Warner Media that created Warner Bros. Discovery.
Now that megacorporation is splitting up again, and as of July 9, 2025, the streamer, where you can watch Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) make more mistakes on "And Just Like That...," is once again called HBO Max.
After the change was announced in May, fans, onlookers and even the company's own social media accounts were quick to make jokes. But is it all just one big laugh, or will the latest rebranding change what you watch?
'How many meetings?' Internet reacts as Max changes name back to HBO Max
Don't worry, we have answers to all the Max/HBO Max questions you could have, now that the change is official. Mostly there's no need to be too concerned: WBD is making the change pretty seamless for consumers. That probably won't stop people making more jokes on social media, though.
Is HBO Max different from Max?
Nope! It's just a name change. The service is exactly the same, retaining all your profiles, preferences and "recently watched" data. You may have noticed a few weeks ago that the logo is black and white, rather than purple, which marks a return to the HBO style. You should be able to log on as you normally do on whatever devices you typically use to stream TV series and movies.
As a subscriber, do I have to do anything different? Do I have to download a new app?
Also, no! Although when HBO Max became Max the first time, users were required to download a new app, the company promises this time the app will change all on its own.
Will there be any price changes for HBO Max?
Not right now. Although streaming prices tend to change every year (getting more expensive each time), the name change won't make HBO Max any more expensive than Max was. Here are the current tiers and prices available:
Are any TV shows or movies leaving HBO Max?
Not as a direct result of the name change, but it's important to remember that nothing on streaming is permanent. WBD has developed a reputation for removing content with low viewership and canceling completed or almost-completed projects as cost-saving or tax measures. It's not as common as it was a few years ago, when the company canceled the "Batgirl" movie amid an outcry, but it still happens sometimes, although likely the content that disappears is stuff you didn't even realize was there.
Several Discovery networks shows have already left the streamer in the past few months, although not necessarily as a direct result of this change or the company splitting. The dearly departed shows include seasons of series like Food Network's "Chopped" and some series from TLC's "90-Day Fiancé" franchise.
As far as future shows and movies, the streamer has not indicated it will pause any announced plans. The new "Harry Potter" series is still in full swing, for instance.
Why is Max becoming HBO Max again?
It's all about branding and corporate priorities. Where the original name change to "Max" was meant to signify the streamer had a little of everything, that's not what the current head honchos want you to think of when you hear "HBO Max" going forward.
Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, said at the May presentation announcing the name change, "My team is well aware of what the HBO brand means to the industry and our consumers." The company wants to "elevate the name again."
WBD president and CEO of streaming JB Perrette also said at the event, "No consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers today say they want better content." The name change represents the streamer's newfound goal of curating quality content, presumably akin to HBO shows such as current hit "The Last of Us" and "The Gilded Age," rather than being everything to everyone.
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Forgyf0rg
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