Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns HBO Max and Discovery Plus, said in the summer that the two services would be merged in 2023. The original release date for the new streaming service was the summer of 2023; however, the launch was moved up to the spring because of how smoothly the switchover went. There are rumblings that the new service could be called “Max.”
Executives at Warner Bros. Discovery have reportedly narrowed the name of the forthcoming service down to a few options, with “Max” emerging as the frontrunner, as reported by CNBC. The service is currently known as “BEAM” among employees. Max is the frontrunner, but the company’s lawyers are still considering and vetting other names. When the service launches, the accompanying app will feature various “hubs” where users can quickly navigate to their preferred brands. It hasn’t been decided for sure, but DC Comics, Discovery, HBO, and Warner Bros. could all end up being major hubs.
While the introduction of a brand-new service is always cause for celebration, this one has generated considerable debate. For the sake of the company’s bottom line, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has recently canceled major projects like a new Batgirl movie and reduced programming on HBO Max. But Zaslav has also been vocal in his support for films like The Flash, which some have interpreted as a strange move in light of the controversy surrounding the film’s star.
It’s natural to wonder how much Warner Bros. Discovery’s new service will cost and what kinds of tier options will be available in light of recent price increases and increased competition from the likes of Disney, Netflix, and others. Priced at $14.99 per month without commercials, HBO Max is currently one of the more expensive service options available.
