Max streaming service: what US subscribers get with HBO Max now rebranded

Responsible: ad hoc news B2B & Pro Desk. Reviewed prior to publication on June 13, 2026 at 6:33 PM ET. Details in the imprint.

Max is the streaming service that replaced HBO Max in the United States in 2023, combining HBO originals, Warner Bros. movies and Discovery-branded unscripted programming on a single subscription platform. The service is operated by Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. and remains a central consumer offering as the company prepares for its planned acquisition by Paramount Skydance. For US viewers, Max is positioned as a one-stop app for prestige dramas like "Succession" and "The Last of Us," Warner Bros. theatrical films after their cinema runs, and non-fiction series from brands such as Discovery Channel, HGTV and Food Network. Existing HBO Max subscribers were generally migrated to Max with their profiles and watch history preserved when the transition took place.

What Max offers in the US market today

According to Warner Bros. Discovery's product information, Max is available in the US through a tiered subscription model that includes an ad-supported plan, an ad-free plan and an Ultimate Ad-Free tier with additional concurrent streams and higher video quality. Max is offered as a direct subscription via the official Max website and app as well as through major US distribution partners including Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV channels and certain pay-TV and wireless bundles. The platform can be accessed on a broad range of devices such as iOS and Android smartphones, Roku players, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, select smart TVs and game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. For many US households, Max competes directly with Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu for monthly entertainment budgets, so breadth of catalog and ease of use are crucial.

Content-wise, Max integrates long-running HBO franchises along with Warner Bros. Discovery's broader library. Flagship scripted series such as "House of the Dragon" and legacy hits like "The Sopranos" and "Game of Thrones" sit alongside Warner Bros. film titles that move to streaming after their theatrical and home-video windows. Reality and lifestyle shows from Discovery-owned channels expand the catalog in genres like home renovation, cooking, true crime and nature. This mix reflects Warner Bros. Discovery's strategy to leverage both premium scripted brands and high-volume, lower-cost unscripted content in one subscription. The company has described Max as a way to reduce churn by encouraging different family members to find programming they watch regularly, whether that is an HBO drama or a Discovery reality series.

Max also supports multiple user profiles, kid-focused experiences and downloadable content for offline viewing on mobile devices for ad-free tiers. Parental controls allow restrictions based on ratings so that families can manage access to mature HBO content. For users on supported devices and plans, Max provides 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos playback on select titles, typically blockbuster films and marquee series episodes. Warner Bros. Discovery has stated in past product updates that it intends to expand the number of 4K titles over time, particularly for tentpole releases where high visual fidelity can be a selling point for home viewing. These technical features align with what US consumers now expect from premium streaming services.

From a pricing perspective, Warner Bros. Discovery has positioned Max at a level comparable to other major US streaming services, with separate monthly rates depending on ad load and video quality. The service has also been included in promotional bundles with certain cable and wireless providers, which can lower the effective cost for subscribers who receive Max as part of a broader package. For the company, such bundles can extend Max's reach beyond cord-cutting households and maintain a presence within traditional pay-TV ecosystems. Because streaming price points and bundles evolve frequently, US consumers considering Max need to check current offers directly on the Max site or via their provider.

For Warner Bros. Discovery, Max is more than just a consumer app; it is a core digital distribution channel intended to monetize the company's extensive content library across scripted, unscripted and film categories. Management has highlighted direct-to-consumer services, including Max, as a key component of its long-term strategy to navigate shifts away from linear cable and broadcast television. As regulatory authorities in the United States have now approved Paramount Skydance's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, industry observers are watching to see how Max will be positioned inside a combined portfolio that would also include Paramount's streaming assets. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (US9344231041, ticker WBD) traded on Nasdaq at levels closely followed by media investors on June 12, 2026.

This article was created with a.i. assistance and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at any time. Not investment advice, not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading in securities carries risks up to the total loss of capital.