Max combines HBO Max and Discovery Plus into one streaming service — here's everything you need to know

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Max, the long-awaited merger of HBO Max and Discovery Plus, combines content from the two services into one app, one subscription plan, and one monthly fee. In an era of too many streaming services with too many separate bills, Max is trying to make it easier than ever to use one service for the whole family's viewing needs.

Coming September 27, the platform will also be adding CNN Max, a round-the-clock live news feed at no extra cost. Coupled with its already sizable selection of HBO shows, movies, and reality series, Max is one of the best streaming services out there for people who love both prestige TV and unscripted content. However, it is a bit more expensive than competitors like Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, and Peacock. 

The rebranded service officially launched on May 23, and we're here to break down everything you need to know, including how to sign up, how much it costs, and what you can watch right now.

What is Max?

Max is Warner Bros. Discovery's new streaming service, which serves as a rebranding, expansion, and replacement of the previous HBO Max platform. Max offers a combination of content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus, with movies, shows, and documentaries geared toward every member of the household. 

As such, Max is the new streaming home to series like "The Last of Us," "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," "90 Day Fiance," "House of the Dragon," and many more titles that used to be exclusively available to either service. Leveraging all of Warner Bros. Discovery's various properties, Max includes titles from HBO, Warner Bros. Studios, Discovery Channel, DC, Cartoon Network, Food Network, TCM, Magnolia Network, and more.

Starting September 27, it will also be the new home of CNN Max at no additional cost. 

How much does Max cost?

Max is available at three different pricing tiers, all of which include the entire library of Max content. 

• Max Ad-lite: $10/month or $100/year for ad-supported streaming with up to two simultaneous streams, no offline downloads, and 5.1 surround sound quality
• Max Ad-free: $16/month or $150/year for ad-free streaming with up to two simultaneous streams, 1080p HD video playback, up to 30 offline downloads, and 5.1 surround sound quality
• Max Ultimate: $20/month or $200/year with up to four simultaneous streams, up to 4K HD Ultra video playback with HDR, 100 offline downloads, and Dolby Atmos sound quality

How do I sign up for Max?

You can sign up for Max right now through Max website. The service is also available through partner platforms like Prime Video and Hulu. Existing HBO Max subscribers were automatically transferred over to Max on May 23.

How is Max different from HBO Max?

Max offers everything HBO Max had, in addition to tons of popular content from Discovery Plus, like shows from Food Network, HGTV, TLC, ID, and more. The new platform also features a revamped interface and some other quality-of-life improvements to make finding content easier across all of the service's different brands.

Though you can get Max for the same price as HBO Max's old ad-lite and ad-free plans, Max also offers one additional pricing tier, Max Ultimate, which costs $20 a month for up to four concurrent streams, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Atmos sound quality, and up to 100 offline downloads. 

What happened to HBO Max subscribers?

HBO Max subscribers were automatically switched over to Max when the app updated on May 23; some users may need to manually download the new Max app. 

Since the entry-level price of the service remains the same during the change, HBO Max subscribers don't lose anything. Instead, they now get access to the vast Max library which includes popular content formerly exclusive to Discovery Plus, like shows from TLC, HGTV, ID, and Food Network. 

That said, there is one notable adjustment regarding 4K support. Subscribers to HBO Max's ad-free plan got 4K streaming included for $16/month, but 4K is now exclusive to Max's more expensive Ultimate plan for $20 a month. If you subscribed to HBO Max's ad-free plan before May 23, you'll continue to get 4K support for at least six months before you'll need to upgrade to keep that feature.

What happens to current HBO cable viewers?

As was the case with HBO Max, most viewers who already have HBO through their cable or satellite TV provider get access to Max for no additional cost. To find out if you qualify, check out the list of eligible providers here. 

What if I'm currently a Discovery Plus subscriber?

Current Discovery Plus subscribers need not be concerned about the launch of Max. If you're a member right now, you can keep your Discovery Plus membership with no additional fees. If you choose to upgrade to Max, you can do so by signing up for one of the new pricing tiers. 

What can I watch on Max?

Max is home to content that used to require two subscriptions to view: HBO Max and Discovery Plus. The library includes a huge catalog pulled from all of Warner Bros. Discovery's various brands, including HBO, Warner Bros. Studios, Discovery Channel, DC, Cartoon Network, Looney Tunes, and more. This includes current hits like "The White Lotus," "Succession," "The Last of Us," "The Property Brothers," "House Hunters," and "90 Day Fiance."

Coming September 27, the service will also be adding CNN coverage around the clock via CNN Max at no extra cost for subscribers. 

In addition, Max is also home to a growing collection of Max Originals developed exclusively for the service. New Warner Bros. movies will also hit Max after they play in theaters.

Some new and upcoming movies set to hit Max after their theatrical runs include: 

• "Barbie"
• "Dune: Part Two"
• "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
• "Blue Beetle"

Some notable Max Originals in development include: 

• "The Penguin"
• "Welcome to Derry"
• "The Conjuring" series
• "The Big Bang Theory" spinoff
• A new "Harry Potter" series
• "Fixer Upper: The Hotel"
• "Rick and Morty: The Anime"
• "Love & Translation"