HBO Max, the popular streaming service from WarnerMedia, is rebranding to Max on May 23rd, 2023. This change is accompanied by a merger with the Discovery Plus streaming service, which means there will be changes in content and pricing plans.
In this article, we’ll discuss HBO Max vs Max and how to watch it in Canada, the difference in content, pricing plans, and much more.
HBO Max Rebrands to Max
HBO Max is rebranding to Max in an effort to streamline the service’s identity which is already one of the best streaming platforms. The change reflects the merger with Discovery Plus streaming service, which brings together an even more vast library of content from Warner Bros, and Discovery.
Though Discovery Plus will remain a separate streaming service on its own as well, apart from the merger, in case the regular HBO content doesn’t resonate well with you.
HBO Max vs. Max: A Brief Overview
Before taking a deep dive into what HBO Max and Max have in common, or are different, let’s go through a brief version of what makes Max a much better, advanced, and happening new version and soon-to-be-replacement of HBO Max.
Is it the price tiers? The content quality and selection? Or the overall availability globally? Let’s take a look!
| Features | HBO Max | Max |
| Monthly starting price | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Monthly ad-free tier price | $15.99 | $15.99 |
| Monthly Ultimate Ad-Free tier price | n/a | $19.99 |
| Content | HBO, HBO Max Originals, movies, DC, Adult Swim, Sesame Workshop, Studio Ghibli films, TCM | Everything HBO Max had, plus Discovery content |
| Streaming quality | Up to 4K | Full HD at $9.99 and $15.99 | 4K at $19.99 |
| Dolby Vision and Atmos | Select content | Select content, and only with Ultimate Ad-Free |
| Simultaneous streams | 3 | 2 (4 with Ultimate Ad-Free) |
| Downloads | 30 (ad-free HBO Max) | 30 (ad-free Max), 100 (Ultimate Ad-Free) |
| Available | Now until May 23 | Starting May 23 |
HBO Max vs Max: Difference in Content with the Merger
The merger between HBO Max and Discovery Plus streaming service means that there will be significant changes in content.
Max will continue to offer exclusive content from Warner Bros., HBO Originals, Max Originals, DC Universe, etc such as “Game of Thrones“, “The Last of Us”, “The Sopranos”, and “The Wire”.
With the addition of an expanded library of lifestyle and nature programming from Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC, Food Network, etc including popular shows like “Deadliest Catch” and “House Hunters International”.
In addition, Max This merger will create a vast and diverse library of content that caters to a wide range of viewers with unscripted, reality, and fiction shows from both content libraries.
The best part is that Max will continue the tradition of HBO’s same-day release with 3 happening titles releasing this year, including Barbie movie, Blue Beetle, and Dune Part Two. So, buckle up, because this alone will be more than enough to convince users to shift their subscriptions.
HBO Max vs Max: Change in Pricing Plans
With the merger between the two major streaming services, there will be changes in pricing plans.
Max will have 3 different subscription tiers in order to cater to the majority of the people. The first 2 tiers will be somewhat similar to HBO Max’s current pricing plans, with an addition of a premium tier.
- With Ad tier: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- Ad-Free tier: $15.99/month or $149.99/year
- Ultimate Ad-Free tier: $19.99/month or $199.99/year
Going Ultimate Ad-Free is much better as it has premium everything. While you get Full HD video quality and 2 simultaneous streams with Ad and Ad-Free tiers with Ad-Free tier enables you 30 downloads per month, Ultimate Ad-Free tier unlocks 4K UHD streaming quality, 4 simultaneous screens, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound quality, and an astounding 100 downloads per month.
HBO Max vs Max: Streaming quality & special features
HBO Max now offers an “Ultimate Ad-Free Tier” for $19.99 per month, which includes 4K UHD streaming. This tier also provides access to Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, enhancing the viewing experience with better contrast, vibrant colors, and immersive audio.
Similar to Netflix’s Premium Tier, which costs $20, HBO Max’s previous 4K UHD streaming quality was not consistently available on all content. Ad-free accounts on HBO Max can download up to 30 pieces of content, but with the Ultimate Tier, this limit increases to 100.
However, the number of simultaneous streams allowed on HBO Max has been reduced from three to two, except for Ultimate users who can have up to four streams at once.
Also Read: HBO Max vs Crave – Which Service is Better in Canada?
How to Watch Max in Canada
Despite the obvious changes, just like HBO Max, the new Max will also be geo-restricted. Meaning, that because of complex content distribution policies and copyright laws, it will not be available in regions besides the USA, including Canada.
So, if you’re in Canada and want to watch Max, you’ll need to use a virtual private network (VPN) to access the service. A VPN is a tool that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a different country. By doing this, you can appear as if you’re in one of the countries where Max is allowed and can have unlimited access to it.
Follow these steps or read our full guide to stream HBO Max in Canada.
- You’ll need to sign up for a reliable VPN service. ExpressVPN is our top recommendation.
- Install on a device of choice and sign in.
- From the list of regions, connect to the US servers.
- Then, you can visit the Max website or download their app and sign up there too.
- Select your subscription plan and start watching your favorite shows from the extensive library of Max.
Conclusion
With one of the biggest rebranding and mergers in the history of the streaming industry, there were a lot of speculations regarding its outcome. In this article on HBO Max vs Max and how to watch it in Canada we have tried to go into as much detail as possible and address almost all the sources of confusion ranging from content, pricing, geo-restrictions etc.
We hope that this article was helpful and informative and would have cleared most of your doubts. Happy streaming!
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