It's HBO No Longer as Max sheds HBO, drops a new app, breaks the Internet with priceless memes
The rollout for the Max hasn't been the smoothest with technical errors reports. (Picture Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery)
It's HBO... not any longer. Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has finally concluded the merger of HBO Max and Discovery+ into a singular streaming platform, Max. Basically, HBO Max is now just Max. No HBO anymore.
Introducing Max. The one to watch for iconic series, award-winning movies, fresh originals, and family favorites. Now streaming. Learn more: https://t.co/C5fiK1WLBu #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/AumFixLER6
— Max (@StreamOnMax) May 23, 2023
Max is a unified service that is available only in the US (for now), and it aims to offer enhanced and 'engaging content' for subscribers. The app will have movies and television shows and originals, at a higher price, of course.
A whole new app?
According to WBD, a large portion of HBO Max subscribers will get an automatic update on their HBO Max to the new Max.
However, the remaining users will have to download the new app after they have received a prompt to do so, starting in mid-June.
WBD expects the transfer from one app to the other to be seamless - the previous plan details, profiles, avatars, and settings, including their "Continue Watching" and "My List" selections.
It would be 2024 by the time the Max starts to stream in India.
Internet up in arms
- For some, downloading a whole new app did not go well. And you can imagine what followed: a memefest and rant threads about technical snags with the new app.
you have to download a separate app for max instead of the hbo max app just updating automatically pic.twitter.com/alCBTAznwe
— CJ (@__ceej___) May 23, 2023
- The rebranding was followed by more memes that tried rebranding other streaming platforms.
What were your thoughts on HBO Max turning into Max?
— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) May 24, 2023
Should other streaming services do the same? 💥 pic.twitter.com/JIRYxH3B9f
- Some were unhappy about the writer/director replaced by a vague 'creator' credits. Catch the writer and director if you can!
Catch Me if You Can pic.twitter.com/4o0nypLEYw
— John (@imjohnleary) May 24, 2023
- The iconic Empire State Building now wants a shorter name too. However, 'Mr State' would sound cooler.
Inspired by HBO MAX rebranding to MAX, I’ll know be known as BUILDING
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) May 23, 2023
- A user did not want to call it Max because 'Its mama named it HBO Max'.
Its mama named it HBO Max, I’ma call it HBO Max. pic.twitter.com/JipoDBimS8
— Cojo (@CortneyJohnelle) May 23, 2023
- What next after Go, Now, Max? Where does it stop?
Happy Max Day everyone!
— Style tips, by Gnocchi®️ (@jonnydelco) May 23, 2023
HBO GO: 2010-2020
HBO NOW: 2014-2020
HBO MAX: 2020-2023
MAX: 2023-???? pic.twitter.com/LZjfSOU9Fu
HBO in India
On March 31 this year, HBO left Disney+ Hotstar in India. While there was no consensus on where all of that HBO content would be available, soon JioCinema entered the picture. The Reliance-owned JioCinema now hosts all HBO content for a price of Rs 999 per year.