View source for Software:HBO Max

{{Short description|American subscription video streaming service}}
{{Infobox website
| name = HBO Max
| logo = HBO Max Logo.svg
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2019
| screenshot =
| caption =
| type = [[Over-the-top media service|OTT streaming platform]]
| language = {{Collapsible list|[[Social:English language|English]] (Anglo-American)|[[Social:Spanish language|Spanish]] (European and [[Social:Spanish language in the Americas|Latin American]])|[[Social:Portuguese language|Portuguese]] (European and Brazilian)|Bosnian|[[Social:Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]]|[[Social:Catalan language|Catalan]]|Croatian|[[Social:Czech language|Czech]]|[[Social:Danish language|Danish]]|[[Social:Dutch language|Dutch]]|[[Social:Finnish language|Finnish]]|[[Social:Hungarian language|Hungarian]]|[[Social:Macedonian language|Macedonian]]|Moldovan|[[Organization:Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]|[[Social:Norwegian language|Norwegian]] ([[Social:Bokmål|Bokmål]])|[[Social:Polish language|Polish]]|[[Social:Romanian language|Romanian]]|[[Social:Serbian language|Serbian]]|[[Social:Slovak language|Slovak]]|Slovene|[[Social:Swedish language|Swedish]]}}
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2020|5|27}}
| predecessor = {{collapsible list|
* HBO Go
* HBO Now
* Cinemax Go
* CNN+
* [[Company:DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]]
* [[Company:FilmStruck|FilmStruck]]
* DramaFever
* HBO Nordic
* HBO España
* HBO Europe
* HBO Portugal
}}
| location = {{wipe|New York City}}, New York
| country = US
| country_of_origin = United States
| area_served = United States, Latin America, Caribbean and parts of Europe (see full list of countries)
| owner = Warner Bros. Discovery
| parent = Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and Interactive Entertainment
| key_people = {{ubl|David Zaslav (President and CEO, Warner Bros. Discovery)|Casey Bloys (CEO, Chairman)}}
| url = {{url|https://www.hbomax.com/|hbomax.com}}
| registration = Required
| users = {{increase}} 76.8 million ({{As of|2022|04|01|lc=y|df=US}})
| current_status = Active
}}

'''HBO Max''' is an American [[Engineering:Video on demand#Subscription models|subscription video on-demand]] [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] [[Engineering:Streaming media|streaming]] service which is the property of parent subsidiary WarnerMedia Direct, LLC, a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=2023-02-24 |title=‘South Park’ Lawsuit: Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Paramount Global Over Licensing Dispute |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/south-park-lawsuit-hbo-max-sues-paramount-1235534780/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media |language=en-US}}</ref> Launched in the United States on May 27, 2020, the service is built around the libraries of HBO, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and their related brands. The service also carries first-run programming from the HBO [[Engineering:Pay television|pay television]] service, original programming under the "Max Originals" banner, and content acquired via third-party library deals (such as those with film studios for pay television rights) and co-production agreements (such as those with BBC Studios and Sesame Workshop among others).

The service succeeds both HBO Now—a previous HBO SVOD service, and HBO Go—the on-demand streaming platform for HBO pay television subscribers. In the U.S., HBO Now subscribers and HBO pay television subscribers were migrated to HBO Max at no additional charge, subject to availability and device support. HBO Max also supplanted the streaming component of DC Entertainment's [[Company:DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]] service, with its original series being migrated to HBO Max as Max Originals. The HBO Max service began to expand into international markets in 2021.

According to AT&T, HBO and HBO Max had a combined total of 69.4&nbsp;million paying subscribers globally on June 30, 2021<!-- end-of-quarter data released July 22 -->, including 43.5&nbsp;million HBO Max subscribers in the U.S., 3.5&nbsp;million HBO-only U.S. subscribers (primarily commercial customers like hotels), and 20.5&nbsp;million subscribers to either HBO Max or HBO by itself in other countries.<ref name="att-2021-q2-trends">{{cite web|url=https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2021/q221/2Q21_Trending_Schedule.pdf#page=11|title=AT&T 2nd Quarter Earnings 2021 – Financial and Operational Trends|quote=Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Operating Volumes and Statistics (volumes in thousands) [as of 6/30/21] — HBO Max – Wholesale [Domestic]: 31,451; HBO Max – Retail [Domestic]: 12,077; International HBO Max and HBO Subscribers: 20,498|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722120320/https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2021/q221/2Q21_Trending_Schedule.pdf|archive-date=July 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of 2021, HBO and HBO Max had a combined total of 73.8 million paying global subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Hayes|first1=Dade|date=2022-01-05|title=HBO Max And HBO Hit 73.8M Global Subscribers At End Of 2021, Topping Company Forecasts – Update|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/hbo-max-streaming-att-million-subscribers-2021-1234904685/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105180912/https://deadline.com/2022/01/hbo-max-streaming-att-million-subscribers-2021-1234904685/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-05|title=HBO Max & HBO Reach 73.8 Million Subscribers Globally|url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/hbo-max-hbo-reach-73-8-million-subscribers-globally/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Cord Cutters News|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105180914/https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/hbo-max-hbo-reach-73-8-million-subscribers-globally/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of Q1 2022, HBO and HBO Max had 76.8 million global subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-21 |title=HBO Max and HBO Reach 76.8 Million Global Subscribers |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/hbo-max-and-hbo-reach-76-8-million-global-subscribers/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Cord Cutters News |language=en-US |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421131242/https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/hbo-max-and-hbo-reach-76-8-million-global-subscribers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since the April 2022 merger of WarnerMedia with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO Max is one of the combined company's two flagship streaming services, the other being Discovery+ (which primarily focuses on factual programming from the Discovery brands). HBO Max was expected to merge into Discovery+ in spring 2023. However, in February 2023, it was reported that Discovery+ would remain as a separate streaming service, alongside the new enlarged streaming service, as part of an amended streaming strategy.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Toonkel |first1=Jessica |last2=Flint |first2=Joe |title=Warner Bros. Discovery to Keep Discovery+, in Strategy Shift |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-discovery-to-keep-discovery-in-strategy-shift-11675859633 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208123759/https://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-discovery-to-keep-discovery-in-strategy-shift-11675859633 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:HBO Max Logo Old.svg|thumb|right|Pre-launch logo of HBO Max from July 9, 2019, to October 29, 2019]]

=== Establishment and launch ===
On October 10, 2018, WarnerMedia announced that it would launch an [[Over-the-top media services|over-the-top]] [[Engineering:Streaming media|streaming service]] in late 2019, featuring content from its entertainment brands.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Ryan Faughnder, Wendy|title=WarnerMedia announces new streaming service to compete with Netflix and Disney – Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-streaming-service-20181010-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=October 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013020508/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-streaming-service-20181010-story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The original plan for the service called for three tiers with a late 2019 launch.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|last1=Stelter|first1=Brian|title=WarnerMedia banks on HBO's brand name for new streaming service|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/09/media/hbo-max-warner-media/|work=CNN|date=July 9, 2019|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709200942/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/09/media/hbo-max-warner-media/|archive-date=July 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Randall L. Stephenson, chairman and CEO of WarnerMedia's parent, AT&T indicated in mid-May 2019 that it would use the HBO brand and would tie into cable operators as HBO cable subscribers would have access to the streaming service. A beta was expected in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a full launch in the first quarter of 2020 at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=HBO Pay-TV Customers Will Have Access to WarnerMedia SVOD Service, AT&T Chief Says|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/hbo-pay-tv-customers-will-have-access-to-warnermedia-svod-service-att-chief-1203214315/|work=Variety|date=May 14, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710012806/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/hbo-pay-tv-customers-will-have-access-to-warnermedia-svod-service-att-chief-1203214315/|archive-date=July 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Otter Media was transferred in May 2019 to WarnerMedia Entertainment from Warner Bros. to take over the streaming service as Brad Bentley, executive vice president, and general manager of the direct-to-consumer development exited the post after six months. Andy Forssell transferred from being the chief operating officer of Otter to replace Bentley as executive vice president and general manager while still reporting to Otter CEO Tony Goncalves, who would lead development.<ref name="vty0">{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=WarnerMedia Reorg Gives Otter Media's Tony Goncalves Oversight of Streaming Service Development|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-streaming-unit-otter-media-tony-goncalves-1203230363/|work=Variety|date=May 31, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710012811/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-streaming-unit-otter-media-tony-goncalves-1203230363/|archive-date=July 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 9, 2019, WarnerMedia announced that the service would be known as HBO Max, and would launch in spring 2020, while Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and Greg Berlanti were signed to production deals for the service. (The "Max" moniker is shared with HBO's sister linear pay television service Cinemax, which has alternately identified by its suffix name since the mid-1980s and used it prominently in its branding from 2008 to 2011.)<ref name="city">{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title='Friends' to Leave Netflix for WarnerMedia's HBO Max Streaming Service in 2020|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-hbo-max-friends-exclusive-streaming-1203262335/|work=Variety|date=July 9, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709173957/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-hbo-max-friends-exclusive-streaming-1203262335/|archive-date=July 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 29, 2019, it was announced that HBO Max would officially launch in May 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last=Solsman|first=Joan E.|title=HBO Max will launch in May in the US|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/hbo-max-price-release-date-launch/|website=CNET|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029225119/https://www.cnet.com/news/hbo-max-price-release-date-launch/|archive-date=October 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 8, 2020, AT&T announced that Audience, a channel exclusive to subscribers of AT&T-owned television providers such as [[Company:DirecTV|DirecTV]] with some original programming, would be sunset on May 22, eventually transitioning to a [[Engineering:Barker channel|barker channel]] for HBO Max.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/att-audience-network-to-end-will-transition-to-hbo-max-1202825243/|title=AT&T Audience Network To End; Will Transition To HBO Max Preview Channel|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=January 9, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111062717/https://deadline.com/2020/01/att-audience-network-to-end-will-transition-to-hbo-max-1202825243/|archive-date=January 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Warner Bros. and HBO Max announced the '''Warner Max''' film label on February 5, 2020, which would produce eight to ten mid-budget movies per year for the streaming service starting in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Warner Bros., HBO Max Set New Film Division for Streaming Service |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/warner-bros-hbo-max-set-new-film-division-for-streaming-service-1203494178/ |access-date=February 5, 2020 |work=Variety |date=February 5, 2020 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205213015/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/warner-bros-hbo-max-set-new-film-division-for-streaming-service-1203494178/ |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 20, 2020, WarnerMedia announced HBO Max's launch date as May 27.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=HBO Max Sets Official Launch Date |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hbo-max-launch-date-price-streaming-1234585776/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |work=Variety |date=April 21, 2020 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422153035/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hbo-max-launch-date-price-streaming-1234585776/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that year on October 23, it was announced that WarnerMedia decided to consolidate the Warner Max label into the Warner Bros. Pictures Group after its chairman Toby Emmerich, and his development and production team led by Courtenay Valenti of Warner Bros. Pictures, Richard Brener of New Line and Walter Hamada, who oversees DC-based films, 
was put to manage the company's entire film output, both theatrical and streaming releases.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 23, 2020|title=Warner Max Restructures as WarnerMedia Consolidates Film Production|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-max-shutting-down-as-warnermedia-reorganizes-film-production|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203021149/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-max-shutting-down-as-warnermedia-reorganizes-film-production|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=October 23, 2020|title=WarnerMedia Film Group Streamline: HBO Max's Jessie Henderson To Exit, While Nikki Ramey Moves To New Line & WB|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/warnermedia-movie-exec-streamlining-jessie-henderson-exit-nikki-ramey-new-line-wb-1234602566/|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220034855/https://deadline.com/2020/10/warnermedia-movie-exec-streamlining-jessie-henderson-exit-nikki-ramey-new-line-wb-1234602566/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|date=October 23, 2020|title=HBO Max Film Shake-Up: Toby Emmerich Consolidates Power, Two Executives Depart|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hbo-max-film-shakeup-toby-emmerich-warnermedia-1234814287/|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220033412/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hbo-max-film-shakeup-toby-emmerich-warnermedia-1234814287/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Warner Bros. Discovery era, abandoned merger with Discovery+ and restructuring ===
On March 14, 2022, after Discovery, Inc. shareholders approved its merger with a divestiture of WarnerMedia by AT&T to form Warner Bros. Discovery, Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels stated that the company planned to pursue an eventual merger of HBO Max with its own streaming service Discovery+. Wiedenfels stated that this process would most likely begin with a bundle of the two services as a short-term option, with a long-term goal to eventually merge the services into one platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2022-03-14 |title=HBO Max and Discovery Plus Will Be Combined Into One Platform |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/hbo-max-discovery-plus-combined-streaming-service-bundle-1235204060/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=Variety |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317034833/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/hbo-max-discovery-plus-combined-streaming-service-bundle-1235204060/ |url-status=live }}</ref> President and CEO of Discovery Streaming and International JB Perrette first identified this as a possibility in November 2021, stating that the company could pursue such a unified service in markets where Discovery+ has yet to launch, such as other parts of Asia-Pacific.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bunson |first=Ben |date=November 3, 2021 |title=Discovery+, HBO Max may bundle before combining after merger |url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/discovery-hbo-max-may-bundle-combining-after-merger |access-date=November 11, 2021 |work=FierceVideo |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111192746/https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/discovery-hbo-max-may-bundle-combining-after-merger |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2022, as a part of a post-merger money-saving and strategic move, it was reported that HBO Max had ceased new original series development in [[Place:Central Europe|Central Europe]], [[Place:Nordic countries|Nordic Europe]], the Netherlands, and Turkey, as well as removed selected international series from the platform worldwide. It was reported that France and Spain had been largely excluded from these cuts, due to French regulations requiring streaming services to produce domestic content, and Spanish-language content appealing to a wide range of markets served by HBO Max.<ref name="halt">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-europe-originals-development-1235308730/|website=Variety|date=4 July 2022|title=HBO Max Halts Originals in Parts of Europe in Major Restructure (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Manori|last=Ravindran|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=July 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704235144/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-europe-originals-development-1235308730/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://noticiasdatv.uol.com.br/noticia/mercado/hbo-max-suspende-projeto-de-novelas-no-brasil-apos-fusao-warner-e-discovery-84605|title=HBO Max suspende projeto de novelas no Brasil após fusão Warner e Discovery|trans-title=HBO Max suspends telenovela projects in Brazil after Warner and Discovery merger|language=pt|website=Notícias da TV|date=July 8, 2022|access-date=July 19, 2022|archive-date=July 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715183751/https://noticiasdatv.uol.com.br/noticia/mercado/hbo-max-suspende-projeto-de-novelas-no-brasil-apos-fusao-warner-e-discovery-84605|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://noticiasdatv.uol.com.br/noticia/televisao/excluidas-da-hbo-max-saiba-onde-vao-parar-os-programas-de-angelica-e-sandy-85040|title=Excluídas da HBO Max: Saiba onde vão parar os programas de Angélica e Sandy|trans-title=Removed from HBO Max: Know where will go the programs of Angélica and Sandy|language=pt|website=Notícias da TV|date=July 15, 2022|access-date=July 19, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718195927/https://noticiasdatv.uol.com.br/noticia/televisao/excluidas-da-hbo-max-saiba-onde-vao-parar-os-programas-de-angelica-e-sandy-85040|url-status=live}}</ref> With the cancellation of ''Gordita Chronicles'' later that month, it was reported that the service was also abandoning development of live-action children's and family programming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-07-29 |title='Gordita Chronicles' Canceled As HBO Max Pulls Back On Live-Action Kids & Family Programming; Latinx Comedy Will Be Shopped |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/gordita-chronicles-canceled-hbo-max-no-season-2-1235080860/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Deadline |archive-date=August 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803154247/https://deadline.com/2022/07/gordita-chronicles-canceled-hbo-max-no-season-2-1235080860/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 3, 2022, it was reported that multiple Max Original films and HBO series had been quietly removed from the service without prior notice, as part of cuts to direct-to-streaming films, as well as to write-off films and series that have underperformed as losses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2022-08-03 |title=HBO Max Quietly Removed Six Warner Bros. Streaming-Exclusive Movies |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/hbo-max-removes-warner-bros-films-streaming-exclusive-1235332258/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Variety |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104092308/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/hbo-max-removes-warner-bros-films-streaming-exclusive-1235332258/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=August 3, 2022 |title=Why HBO Max Removed 6 Streaming-Exclusive Movies, with More to Come |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/08/hbo-max-removed-6-streaming-movies-1234747761/ |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805000745/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/08/hbo-max-removed-6-streaming-movies-1234747761/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also thought that avoiding payment for [[Social:Residual (entertainment industry)|residuals]] played a part.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Wilson |date=2022-08-18 |title=HBO Max to Remove 36 Titles, Including 20 Originals, From Streaming |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/hbo-max-originals-removed-1235344286/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819020907/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/hbo-max-originals-removed-1235344286/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This followed news that had broken the previous day that then-upcoming Max Original films ''Batgirl'' and ''Scoob! Holiday Haunt'' had been both abruptly cancelled, despite being nearly complete.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-03 |title='Batgirl' directors 'still can't believe' Warner Bros. scrapped their film |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-08-03/batgirl-canceled-warner-bros-dc-directors-statement |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804040740/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-08-03/batgirl-canceled-warner-bros-dc-directors-statement |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DeadlineAnalysis2">{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Kroll |first2=Justin |date=August 2, 2022 |title=The Dish: What's Behind The 'Batgirl' & 'Scoob!' Discard? David Zaslav's Abject Rejection Of Jason Kilar's HBO Max Strategy |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/batgirl-scoob-discard-warnerbros-discovery-david-zaslav-jason-kilar-hbo-max-strategy-1235084032/ |access-date=August 3, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=August 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803034146/https://deadline.com/2022/08/batgirl-scoob-discard-warnerbros-discovery-david-zaslav-jason-kilar-hbo-max-strategy-1235084032/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During an earnings call the next day, WBD CEO David Zaslav stated that the company would cut children's programming, and emphasize theatrical films over direct-to-streaming releases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2022-08-04 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery Confirms Kids' Content Cuts |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/warner-bros-discovery-kids-content-cuts-1235085523/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=Deadline |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805073852/https://deadline.com/2022/08/warner-bros-discovery-kids-content-cuts-1235085523/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=HBO Max, Discovery+ to Merge Into Single Streaming Platform Starting in Summer 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/hbo-max-discovery-plus-merger-2023-1235333314/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Variety |date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805010522/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/hbo-max-discovery-plus-merger-2023-1235333314/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Perrette also revealed that Discovery+ and HBO Max would merge "next Summer", with the unified service launching first in the United States, and rolled out to other markets beginning in late-2023.<ref name=":2" /> Later that month, more programs were removed from the streaming service, including animated and unscripted series such as ''The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo'', ''Infinity Train'' and ''Close Enough'',<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Peter |title='Ellen's Next Great Designer', 'The Not-Too-Late Show With Elmo' & 'My Mom, Your Dad' Among Unscripted & Animated Titles Pulled From HBO Max |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/hbo-max-titles-pulled-ellens-next-great-designer-the-not-too-late-show-with-elmo-1235094987/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=Deadline |date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125202431/https://deadline.com/2022/08/hbo-max-titles-pulled-ellens-next-great-designer-the-not-too-late-show-with-elmo-1235094987/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which was met with heavy backlash from fans, critics, actors, and creators alike.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bjornson |first1=Greta |title=HBO Max Blasted by Animation Fans, Creators After 37 Titles Pulled From Service: "Dumbest Business Decision" |url=https://decider.com/2022/08/18/hbo-max-pulls-summer-camp-island-infinity-train-animation-fans-creators-react/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |work=Decider |date=August 18, 2022 |archive-date=August 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821211718/https://decider.com/2022/08/18/hbo-max-pulls-summer-camp-island-infinity-train-animation-fans-creators-react/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=George |title=Animators React As HBO Max Removes Close Enough, Infinity Train, OK KO, And More |url=https://www.thegamer.com/animators-react-hbo-max-removal-infinity-train-close-enough-ok-ko-mao-mao/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |work=TheGamer |date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820204216/https://www.thegamer.com/animators-react-hbo-max-removal-infinity-train-close-enough-ok-ko-mao-mao/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Villei |first1=Matt |title='Infinity Train' Creator Owen Dennis Calls Warner Bros. Removal of Series From HBO Max "Incredibly Unprofessional" |url=https://collider.com/warner-bros-hbo-max-removals-infinity-train-owen-dennis-comments/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |work=Collider |date=August 21, 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927065415/https://collider.com/warner-bros-hbo-max-removals-infinity-train-owen-dennis-comments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 24, 2022, the HBO Max original films ''House Party'' (which was pulled from its slate just 17 days before its release) and ''Evil Dead Rise'' were both shifted to theatrical releases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2022-08-24 |title='Aquaman 2' Heads To Christmas 2023, 'Shazam: Fury Of The Gods' Goes To March; HBO Max Pics 'House Party' & 'Evil Dead Rise' Going Theatrical – Warner Bros. Release Date Changes |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/aquaman-2-shazam-fury-of-the-gods-hbo-max-house-party-evil-dead-rise-1235099521/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901092842/https://deadline.com/2022/08/aquaman-2-shazam-fury-of-the-gods-hbo-max-house-party-evil-dead-rise-1235099521/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2022 during its third-quarter earnings report, WBD stated that the merged service was now targeting a "Spring 2023" launch in the U.S., ahead of the original schedule. Perrette also stated of a potential price increase for HBO Max's ad-free tier in 2023, explaining that it was "an opportunity, particularly in this environment".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forristal |first=Lauren |date=2022-11-04 |title=Combined HBO Max/Discovery+ service gets an earlier launch date, price hike is to be expected |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/04/combined-hbo-max-discovery-service-gets-an-earlier-launch-date-price-hike-is-to-be-expected/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124041526/https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/04/combined-hbo-max-discovery-service-gets-an-earlier-launch-date-price-hike-is-to-be-expected/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A price hike for the ad-free tier in the U.S. was later announced on January 12, 2023, which saw the price raised by $1 to $15.99 a month (the yearly plan would be unaffected by this move), effective immediately for new subscribers, while current subscribers would see the price hike starting on February 11, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-01-12 |title=HBO Max's first price hike raises the monthly rate by $1 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/12/23551990/hbo-max-ad-free-price-increase-15-99 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210045928/https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/12/23551990/hbo-max-ad-free-price-increase-15-99 |url-status=live }}</ref>

When announcing the merged service, Zaslav did not immediately indicate whether it would continue to carry the HBO brand; he stated that HBO was one of the "great crown jewels of the company", and would "always be the beacon and the ultimate brand that stands for the best of television quality".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-08-05 |title=WBD Brass Stress Commitment To HBO Brand As They Mull Name For Combined Streaming Service |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/hbo-brand-combined-streaming-service-name-warner-bros-discovery-1235085690/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=Deadline |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805020803/https://deadline.com/2022/08/hbo-brand-combined-streaming-service-name-warner-bros-discovery-1235085690/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In early-December 2022, it was reported by CNBC via inside sources that the unified platform was being developed under the codename "BEAM", and that multiple names were being considered—including simply "Max".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Alex Sherman,Lillian |title=Warner Bros. Discovery closes in on 'Max' as the name of its combined HBO Max-Discovery+ streaming service |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/warner-bros-discovery-max-streaming-service-name.html |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205154430/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/warner-bros-discovery-max-streaming-service-name.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title='Max' Could Be the Name of Merged HBO Max/Discovery+ Service |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/name-of-hbo-max-discovery-plus-merged-service-1235450244/ |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Variety |date=December 5, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=December 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217095435/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/name-of-hbo-max-discovery-plus-merged-service-1235450244/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2023, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that WBD no longer planned to merge Discovery+ with HBO Max (which would feature "most", but not all, of the content of Discovery+), citing a desire to preserve its current subscriber base (including customers who may not be interested in the entertainment-oriented service due to factors such as its expected price).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Toonkel |first1=Jessica |last2=Flint |first2=Joe |title=Warner Bros. Discovery to Keep Discovery+, in Strategy Shift |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-discovery-to-keep-discovery-in-strategy-shift-11675859633 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208123759/https://www.wsj.com/articles/warner-bros-discovery-to-keep-discovery-in-strategy-shift-11675859633 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery reached an agreement with Roku and [[Company:Tubi|Tubi]] to make multiple shows from the Warner Bros. Discovery library, including those removed from HBO Max in past, available for streaming. The deal included over 2,000 hours of programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/westworld-gets-new-home-as-warner-bros-discovery-strikes-roku-tubi-fast-channel-deals-1235245347/|title='Westworld' Gets New Home As Warner Bros. Discovery Strikes Roku & Tubi FAST Channel Deals|author=Jesse Whittock|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 31, 2023|access-date=February 8, 2023|archive-date=February 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208043502/https://deadline.com/2023/01/westworld-gets-new-home-as-warner-bros-discovery-strikes-roku-tubi-fast-channel-deals-1235245347/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2023/01/31/cancelled-westworld-the-nevers-streaming-roku-tubi-release-dates/|title=''Westworld'', The Nevers (All 12 Episodes) and Other HBO Max Castoffs to Stream Free on Roku and Tubi — Find Out When|author=Matt Webb Mittovich|work=TVLine|date=January 31, 2023|access-date=February 8, 2023|archive-date=February 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204064618/https://tvline.com/2023/01/31/cancelled-westworld-the-nevers-streaming-roku-tubi-release-dates/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Management==
HBO Max was formed under WarnerMedia's Entertainment division, then headed by Robert Greenblatt. Kevin Reilly, president of WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, which includes most of the company's ad-supported entertainment channels such as TBS, TNT, and TruTV<!--not CNN (WM News & Sports), or CW / CN / Adult Swim (Warner Bros.)-->, was also given the role of as chief content officer of HBO Max with responsibility for HBO Max-exclusive original programming and library content. Andy Forssell was named the service's executive vice president and general manager while still reporting to Otter Media CEO Tony Goncalves, who leads development.<ref name="city" /> Casey Bloys, programming president of HBO, retained oversight of the core HBO service but was not initially involved with Max-exclusive programming.

On August 7, 2020, WarnerMedia announced a significant restructuring under new president Jason Kilar, which he described as "leaning into this great moment of change" towards direct-to-consumer services. As a result, Greenblatt and Reilly both left the company. WarnerMedia Entertainment was dissolved, with programming operations combined with Warner Bros. in a new Studios and Networks group under that studio's CEO Ann Sarnoff. Bloys was given complete programming oversight of HBO and HBO Max, as well as Reilly's other previous responsibilities, reporting to Sarnoff. Forssell became the head of a new HBO Max operating business unit, reporting directly to Kilar.<ref name="thr-restructure-2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bob-greenblatt-kevin-reilly-major-warnermedia-restructuring-1306486|title=Bob Greenblatt, Kevin Reilly Out Amid Major WarnerMedia Restructuring|first1=Lesley|last1=Goldberg|first2=Natalie|last2=Jarvey|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 7, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807204145/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bob-greenblatt-kevin-reilly-major-warnermedia-restructuring-1306486|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 23, 2021, Adult Swim and HBO Max's adult animation development teams merged under the leadership of Suzanna Makkos.<ref>{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 23, 2021 |title=Adult Swim & HBO Max Merge Animation Development Under Suzanna Makkos |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/adult-swim-hbo-max-merge-animation-development-suzanna-makkos-1234742033/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220034751/https://deadline.com/2021/04/adult-swim-hbo-max-merge-animation-development-suzanna-makkos-1234742033/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 15, 2022, HBO was reorganized by Warner Bros. Discovery, resulting in layoffs within HBO Max's non-scripted originals, live-action family originals, international originals, and casting units (HBO itself never had an in-house casting department). Makkos also began reporting to HBO's head of comedy Amy Gravitt.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-08-15 |title=HBO/HBO Max Layoffs Hit Max Reality, Acquisitions, Casting & Int'l; Scripted Operation Gets Restructured |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/hbo-max-layoffs-reality-amy-gravitt-sarah-aubrey-reorg-acquisitions-casting-international-1235091596/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816014752/https://deadline.com/2022/08/hbo-max-layoffs-reality-amy-gravitt-sarah-aubrey-reorg-acquisitions-casting-international-1235091596/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-08-15 |title=Casey Bloys Addresses HBO/Max Reorg, "Extremely Painful" Layoff Decisions In Memo |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/casey-bloys-hbo-max-reorg-painful-layoff-decisions-1235092839/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816014753/https://deadline.com/2022/08/casey-bloys-hbo-max-reorg-painful-layoff-decisions-1235092839/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Programming==
HBO Max features first-run and library content from the namesake HBO and other Warner Bros. film and television studios and brands.<ref name="Content 01">{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=October 29, 2019 |title=HBO Max Programming: The TV & Film Titles That Will Stream On WarnerMedia's Service |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-list-titles-originals-movies-tv-hbo-1202772182/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030025646/https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-list-titles-originals-movies-tv-hbo-1202772182/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=Deadline |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/hbo-max-launch-date-may-27-prices-shows-movies-free-trials-promos-friends/|title=HBO Max finally sets its launch: May 27|last=Solsman|first=Joan E.|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427000851/https://www.cnet.com/news/hbo-max-launch-date-may-27-prices-shows-movies-free-trials-promos-friends/|archive-date=April 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Content 02">{{Cite news |last=Haselton |first=Todd |date=July 9, 2019 |title=AT&T rolls out a new, super-charged streaming service with HBO shows, 'Friends' and more |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/09/att-hbo-max-streaming-service-will-include-friends.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709180146/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/09/att-hbo-max-streaming-service-will-include-friends.html |archive-date=July 9, 2019}}</ref> The service also includes films available through HBO's existing pay television rights that are sourced from Warner Bros. Pictures and third-party studios, such as Summit Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Studios (the latter three have respective output deals with HBO until 2022).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/21/heres-what-will-be-available-on-hbo-max-when-it-launches-on-may-27.html|title=Here's what will be available on HBO Max when it launches on May 27|last=Whitten|first=Sarah|date=April 21, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426164846/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/21/heres-what-will-be-available-on-hbo-max-when-it-launches-on-may-27.html|archive-date=April 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-01/flush-with-cash-streaming-giants-prep-mega-bids-for-hollywood-hits|title=Netflix and Amazon Elbow Way Into Talks on Streaming Hollywood Hits|first=Lucas|last=Shaw|work={{wipe|Bloomberg News}}|date=September 1, 2020|access-date=September 5, 2020|quote=Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures have begun negotiating with streaming services and cable networks to license their next round of theatrical movies for home video, starting with films set to be released in 2022.|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909144122/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-01/flush-with-cash-streaming-giants-prep-mega-bids-for-hollywood-hits|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lionsgate-summit-label-films-headed-to-starz-for-exclusive-first-window-4141830|title=Lionsgate, Summit Label Films Headed to Starz for Exclusive First Window|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=March 2, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426164846/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lionsgate-summit-label-films-headed-to-starz-for-exclusive-first-window-4141830|archive-date=July 14, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

As with HBO's other streaming platforms, HBO Go and HBO Now (but as opposed to its platforms on [[Software:Apple TV#Apple TV Channels|Apple TV Channels]] and [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video Channels]]), HBO Max does not include feeds of HBO's linear cable channels,<ref name="variety-hbo-confusion" /> nor any content from Cinemax.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/cinemax-programming-wont-be-on-hbo-max-channel-to-no-longer-produce-original-content/|title=Cinemax Abandons Original Programming, Channel Will Not Be Part of HBO Max|last=Baysinger|first=Tim|date=January 15, 2020|work=TheWrap|access-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128031347/https://www.thewrap.com/cinemax-programming-wont-be-on-hbo-max-channel-to-no-longer-produce-original-content/|archive-date=January 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Though Cinemax shares its film content with the linear HBO channel, and therefore the majority of films in the combined library will be on both services in different windows, these films will not necessarily be available on both HBO Max and Cinemax at the same time.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hbo-max-ott-platform-live-turner-sport-nba-mlb|title=HBO Max OTT platform to include live NBA and MLB|website=SportsPro Media|date=July 25, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728222858/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hbo-max-ott-platform-live-turner-sport-nba-mlb|archive-date=July 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Content providers ===
First and third-party content providers for HBO Max. Asterisk (*) denotes third parties while cross (†) denotes former providers.

{{div col|colwidth=21em}}
* Adult Swim
* [[Company:All3Media|All3Media]]
* Bad Robot Productions*<ref name="Content 01" />
* Boomerang
* Cartoon Network
* Cartoonito<ref name="Content 02" /><ref>{{Cite press release|date=February 17, 2021|title=WarnerMedia Expands Kids & Family Offerings on Cartoon Network and HBO Max Under New Tagline Redraw Your World|url=https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/warnermedia-expands-kids-family-offerings-cartoon-network-and-hbo-max-under-new?language_content_entity=en&fb|url-status=live|access-date=February 17, 2021|website=WarnerMedia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217180550/https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/warnermedia-expands-kids-family-offerings-cartoon-network-and-hbo-max-under-new|archive-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref>
** Mattel Television* (Americas and Europe only)
** Sesame Workshop* (Americas only.{{efn|Only in few countries from around the world.}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/hbo-max-from-dc-to-sesame-street-these-are-all-the-content-hubs-on-the-streaming-service.html/|title=HBO Max: From DC to 'Sesame Street,' These Are All the Content Hubs on the Streaming Service|website=Cheat Street|date=May 28, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326021659/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/hbo-max-from-dc-to-sesame-street-these-are-all-the-content-hubs-on-the-streaming-service.html/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paideverdade.com.br/2022/03/25/hbo-max-trazem-o-conteudo-da-vila-sesamo/|title=HBO MAX E CARTOONITO TRAZEM O CONTEÚDO DA VILA SÉSAMO|website=Pai de Verdade|language=pt|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205030321/https://paideverdade.com.br/2022/03/25/hbo-max-trazem-o-conteudo-da-vila-sesamo/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* CNN<ref name="Content 02" />
* Comedy Central*<ref name="Content 02"/>
* The Criterion Collection*
* [[Company:Crunchyroll|Crunchyroll]]*<ref name="Content 02" /> †
* [[Company:The CW|The CW]]<ref name="Content 02" />
* DC Entertainment<ref name="Content 02" />
* GKIDS*<ref name="Content 02" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-24/hbo-max-adds-promare-ride-your-wave-re-zero-night-is-short-walk-on-girl-anime-in-january/.167795|title=HBO Max Adds Promare, Ride Your Wave, Re:Zero, 'Night is Short, Walk on Girl' Anime in January|website=Anime News Network|language=en|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106223931/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-24/hbo-max-adds-promare-ride-your-wave-re-zero-night-is-short-walk-on-girl-anime-in-january/.167795|url-status=live}}</ref>
* HBO<ref name="Content 02" />
* Hello Sunshine*
* HLN
* New Line Cinema<ref name="Content 02" />
* [[Company:Rooster Teeth|Rooster Teeth]]<ref name="Content 02" />
* Sky*<ref name="Distribution" />
* Sony Pictures* (Central and Eastern Europe only)<ref name="Sony" />
* Studio Ghibli* (through GKIDS)<ref name="Content 02" />
* TBS<ref name="Content 02" />
* TNT<ref name="Content 02" />
* TruTV<ref name="Content 02" />
* Turner Classic Movies<ref name="Content 02" />
* Turner Entertainment Co.<ref name="Content 02" />
* TV Globo* (Latin America and the Caribbean only, except Brazil)<ref name="TV Globo" />
* Warner Bros. (except Warner Bros. Japan and Taiwan content, which currently releases through [[Company:Netflix|Netflix]] and [[Software:Disney+|Disney+]])<ref name="Content 02" />
{{div col end}}

===Max Originals===
Original content produced will be under the banner ''Max Originals'', including series, films, and specials''.'' Original episodic content is released weekly, eschewing the "[[Engineering:Binge-watching|binge]]" format made popular by [[Company:Netflix|Netflix]]. Kevin Reilly stated this was to ensure that originals would remain in the spotlight for extended periods, by letting said shows "breathe" as opposed to "fading quickly after a binge and burn". He also noted that the weekly schedule helped to drive the success of past HBO shows like ''Succession'' and ''Chernobyl'' which they co-produced with Sky UK, and became hits precisely due to their staying power.<ref name="Distribution">{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/hbo-max-release-model/|title=HBO Max Original Shows Will Release New Episodes Weekly, Won't Drop Seasons All at Once|date=October 29, 2019|website=/Film|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301115217/https://www.slashfilm.com/hbo-max-release-model/|archive-date=March 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

A slate of 31 original series were planned for its first year, with plans to expand to 50 for its next year, but production timelines may have been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=":0" /> HBO Max also has podcasts about the films and TV series on the service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/29/20939183/hbo-max-interface-warnermedia-disney-netflix-launch-date-ui-gallery|title=Here's what HBO Max looks like|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=October 29, 2019|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030033130/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/29/20939183/hbo-max-interface-warnermedia-disney-netflix-launch-date-ui-gallery|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It also produces original podcasts exclusively for HBO Max, with ''Batman: The Audio Adventures'' being the first.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/4/22609212/hbo-max-podcast-exclusive-batman-audio-jeffrey-wright|title=HBO Max is getting its own exclusive podcasts, starting with Batman|last=Carman|first=Ashley|date=August 4, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804190115/https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/4/22609212/hbo-max-podcast-exclusive-batman-audio-jeffrey-wright|archive-date=August 4, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Syndication===
New Warner Bros. Television Studios-produced series that have premiered on [[Company:The CW|The CW]] since the 2019–20 season beginning with ''Batwoman'', ''Nancy Drew'' and ''Katy Keene'' (which was cancelled in July 2020) will have their past seasons placed on HBO Max about a month after the season finale airs on television (streaming rights to existing series remains with Netflix under an existing deal).<ref name="city" /> Although the ''All American'' spin-off, ''All American: Homecoming'', which premiered on the CW in 2022, was placed on [[Company:Netflix|Netflix]] with its parent show. On July 9, 2019, HBO Max acquired the U.S. streaming rights to ''Friends'' in a $425&nbsp;million deal,<ref name="city" /><ref name=":0" /> and on September 17, 2019, acquired the U.S. streaming rights to ''The Big Bang Theory'', as part of a deal that also extends TBS's off-network rights to the series through 2028.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/hbo-max-l-the-big-bang-theory-streaming-rights-tbs-extends-cable-window-mega-deal-warnermedia-1202736725|title=HBO Max Lands 'The Big Bang Theory' Streaming Rights, TBS Extends Cable Window In Mega WarnerMedia Deal|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|date=September 17, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928231232/https://deadline.com/2019/09/hbo-max-l-the-big-bang-theory-streaming-rights-tbs-extends-cable-window-mega-deal-warnermedia-1202736725/|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Acquired rights===
Outside of WarnerMedia, the service also offers titles from The Criterion Collection,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/29/hbo-max-will-cost-14-99-per-month-and-will-launch-in-may-2020/|title=HBO Max Will Cost $14.99 Per Month and Launch in May 2020|last=Perez|first=Sarah|date=October 30, 2019|website=TechCrunch|language=en|access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226185314/https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/29/hbo-max-will-cost-14-99-per-month-and-will-launch-in-may-2020/|archive-date=December 26, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and has a long-term partnership with BBC Studios (which HBO had previously partnered with to create ''His Dark Materials''). Over 700 episodes of BBC content were available on the service at launch, including the first 11 seasons of the 2005 ''Doctor Who'' revival, as well as future seasons twelve through fourteen, and a variety of other shows including ''The Honourable Woman'', ''Luther'', ''Top Gear'', and the original British version of ''The Office''. Additionally, future shows by BBC Studios will be co-produced with HBO Max.<ref name="BBC Studios">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/luther-doctor-who-uk-office-libraries-head-hbo-max-bbc-deal-1228564|title='Luther,' 'Doctor Who,' U.K. 'Office' Libraries Head to HBO Max in BBC Deal|last1=Porter|first1=Rick|date=August 1, 2019|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801213448/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/luther-doctor-who-uk-office-libraries-head-hbo-max-bbc-deal-1228564|archive-date=August 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

HBO also extended their existing partnership with Sesame Workshop, while moving said content to the front of the HBO Max brand. Select episodes from all fifty seasons of ''Sesame Street'' (dating back to 1969) are available to stream on the service for the first time ever.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HBO Max and Sesame Workshop Announce New Content Partnership Cementing a Shared Commitment to Kids and Families|url=https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-releases/hbo-max-and-sesame-workshop-announce-new-content-partnership-cementing|website=Sesame Workshop|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422043454/https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-releases/hbo-max-and-sesame-workshop-announce-new-content-partnership-cementing|archive-date=April 22, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, future seasons of ''Sesame Street'' will stream exclusively on HBO Max, alongside ''Esme & Roy'', and several new spin-offs starting with ''The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo'', ''Sesame Street: Mecha Builders'', and ''The Monster at the End of This Story''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/3/20897104/sesame-street-streaming-hbo-mwarnermedia-pbs-disney-apple-streaming-wars|title=HBO Max Locks Down Exclusive Access to New Sesame Street Episodes|first=Julia|last=Alexander|date=October 3, 2019|website=The Verge|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113192856/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/3/20897104/sesame-street-streaming-hbo-max-warnermedia-pbs-disney-apple-streaming-wars|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 8, 2022, WarnerMedia and Sesame Workshop announced they will plan new shows for Cartoon Network for the new original series run and a second run acquisition rights HBO Max, including ''Charlotte's Web'', and ''Bea's Block'' as well as the animation special ''Sesame Street: The Nutcracker''. In addition, new episodes to start of the 53rd season of ''Sesame Street'' and spin-offs will be available to stream on HBO Max in selecting Asian territories while holding the second run acquisition rights to replace PBS, more than a new first run for Cartoon Network.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2022/03/08/warnermedia-kids-and-family-and-sesame-workshop-expand-content-partnership-with-new-animated-adventures-and-fresh-takes-on-family-classics-722114/20220308warnermedia01/|title=WarnerMedia Kids & Family and Sesame Workshop Expand Content Partnership with New Animated Adventures and Fresh Takes on Family Classics|publisher=Sesame Workshop|via=The Futon Critic|date=March 8, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205030316/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2022/03/08/warnermedia-kids-and-family-and-sesame-workshop-expand-content-partnership-with-new-animated-adventures-and-fresh-takes-on-family-classics-722114/20220308warnermedia01/|url-status=live}}</ref>

HBO Max has acquired the streaming rights to several Comedy Central series, including ''South Park'', ''Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens'', ''South Side'', and ''The Other Two''; with the latter two becoming Max Original series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/comedy-central-the-other-two-south-side-hbo-max-originals-awkwafina-is-nora-from-queens-svod-rights-1203012460/|title='The Other Two' & 'South Side' Move to HBO Max, Streamer Nabs 'Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens' SVOD Rights in Comedy Central Prods. Deal|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=August 13, 2020|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823235557/https://deadline.com/2020/08/comedy-central-the-other-two-south-side-hbo-max-originals-awkwafina-is-nora-from-queens-svod-rights-1203012460/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2021, HBO Max acquired the rights to Globo's telenovelas and series for Latin America and the Caribbean outside of Brazil.<ref name="TV Globo" >{{cite web|url=https://www.tvpop.com.br/31032/globo-fecha-acordo-e-hbo-max-vai-exibir-novelas-e-series-da-emissora/|title=Globo fecha acordo e HBO Max vai exibir novelas e séries da emissora|date=November 24, 2021|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124174910/https://www.tvpop.com.br/31032/globo-fecha-acordo-e-hbo-max-vai-exibir-novelas-e-series-da-emissora/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2022, Sony Pictures and WarnerMedia announced that they will extend their agreement to carry films from its subsidiary companies in its Central and Eastern Europe pay television window rights window along with the library of television series produced by its sister company Sony Pictures Television Studios, the deal will also include the rights to its releases beginning in 2022 for broadcasting on its channels and will be streaming it on HBO Max throughout Central and Eastern Europe.<ref name="Sony">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/sony-hbo-max-central-europe-film-deal-spider-man-ghostbusters-1235176770/|title=Sony, WarnerMedia Set Blockbuster Film Deal for HBO Max Central Europe|access-date=February 18, 2022|date=February 10, 2022|work=Variety|first=Naman|last=Ramachandran|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319194806/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/sony-hbo-max-central-europe-film-deal-spider-man-ghostbusters-1235176770/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Animation===
The service also features many hubs for animated programming, drawing largely from the libraries of Warner Bros. Animation (including the ''Looney Tunes'' franchise and Hanna-Barbera productions, such as ''Scooby-Doo'', ''Tom and Jerry'' and Tex Avery's cartoons as well) and Cartoon Network, along with Adult Swim. Original animated series (including the ''Adventure Time'' epilogue specials ''Adventure Time: Distant Lands'', ''Jellystone!'', ''Looney Tunes Cartoons'', continuations of ''Infinity Train'' and ''Summer Camp Island'', and a reboot of ''The Boondocks'' produced by Sony Pictures Animation) for both network sections were also announced for HBO Max,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-looney-tunes-jellystone-the-fungies-tig-n-seek-kids-family-series-1202771895/|title=HBO Max Sets New Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Robert Zemeckis Hybrid Series 'Tooned Out', More For Kids & Family Slate|last1=Hipes|first1=Patrick|date=October 29, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507161215/https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-looney-tunes-jellystone-the-fungies-tig-n-seek-kids-family-series-1202771895/|archive-date=May 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/streaming/warnermedias-streaming-service-hbo-max-is-going-to-be-packed-with-animation-181633.html|title=Warnermedia's Streaming Service HBO Max Is Going To Be Jam-Packed With Animation|date=October 30, 2019|website=Cartoon Brew|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423035404/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/streaming/warnermedias-streaming-service-hbo-max-is-going-to-be-packed-with-animation-181633.html|archive-date=April 23, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> and the service beat out competitors to acquire exclusive domestic streaming rights to ''South Park'' and its next three seasons for $500&nbsp;million–with first-run episodes being added 24 hours after their premiere on Comedy Central.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/south-park-vault-3-new-seasons-hbo-max-split-deal-with-viacom-1202771732/|title='South Park' Vault And 3 New Seasons Go To HBO Max In Split Deal With Viacom|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=October 29, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029231515/https://deadline.com/2019/10/south-park-vault-3-new-seasons-hbo-max-split-deal-with-viacom-1202771732/|archive-date=October 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Fellow Otter Media company [[Company:Rooster Teeth|Rooster Teeth]] also contributes content, with season two of ''Gen:Lock'' to be a timed exclusive for HBO Max.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Gen:Lock' Renewed for Season 2 as HBO Max, Rooster Teeth Set First Partnership|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/genlock-renewed-season-2-hbo-max-rooster-teeth-1249763|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=May 1, 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424152405/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/genlock-renewed-season-2-hbo-max-rooster-teeth-1249763|archive-date=April 24, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Post-launch===
All eight films in the ''Harry Potter'' series were available to stream on the service on launch day, despite earlier reports indicating that the films, although produced by Warner Bros., would not be available due to a prior broadcast rights agreement with NBCUniversal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ew.com/movies/harry-potter-films-hbo-max/ |title=All eight Harry Potter films magically arrive on HBO Max for platform launch |author=Nick Romano |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529093051/https://ew.com/movies/harry-potter-films-hbo-max/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later announced that the films would be removed on August 25 and made available on NBCUniversal's streaming service [[Software:Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=July 20, 2020|title=All Eight 'Harry Potter' Movies Are Leaving HBO Max Next Month|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-expiring-harry-potter-movies-1234711239/|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=July 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721150709/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-expiring-harry-potter-movies-1234711239/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it officially brought them back on September 1, 2021, after an adjustment in the agreement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/harry-potter-streaming-hbo-max-1235049603/|title=All Eight 'Harry Potter' Movies Are Leaving HBO Max Next Month|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=21 July 2020|work=Variety|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=September 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925102406/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/harry-potter-streaming-hbo-max-1235049603/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/harry-potter-streaming-hbo-max-1235049603/|title=All 'Harry Potter' Movies Streaming on HBO Max Starting Sept. 1, After Flying Off NBCU's Peacock|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=26 August 2021|work=Variety|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=September 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925102406/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/harry-potter-streaming-hbo-max-1235049603/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 29, 2020, HBO Max acquired the exclusive streaming rights to ''The Big Bang Theory'' spin-off ''Young Sheldon''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=May 29, 2020|title=HBO Max Acquires 'Young Sheldon' Streaming Rights|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/young-sheldon-big-bang-theory-streaming-rights-hbo-max-1234620020/|access-date=June 2, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529202629/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/young-sheldon-big-bang-theory-streaming-rights-hbo-max-1234620020/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 9, 2020, ''Gone with the Wind'' was temporarily removed from HBO Max's library amid the George Floyd protests, following an op-ed in the ''{{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}'' by ''12 Years a Slave'' screenwriter John Ridley.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2020 |title=John Ridley: Why HBO Max should remove 'Gone With the Wind' for now |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-06-08/hbo-max-racism-gone-with-the-wind-movie |access-date=June 15, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616031830/https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-06-08/hbo-max-racism-gone-with-the-wind-movie |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=June 12, 2020 |title=After His Op-Ed Got 'Gone With The Wind' Pulled From HBO Max, John Ridley Ponders Permanent Hollywood Change As ABC Re-Airs His L.A. Riots Docu 'Let It Fall' – Deadline Q&A |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/john-ridley-gone-with-the-wind-hbo-max-los-angeles-riots-abc-airing-let-it-fall-1202957988/ |access-date=June 15, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615075518/https://deadline.com/2020/06/john-ridley-gone-with-the-wind-hbo-max-los-angeles-riots-abc-airing-let-it-fall-1202957988/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 25, the film returned in its original form with, as suggested by Ridley, a new introduction by Turner Classic Movies host Jacqueline Stewart discussing the film's treatments of the American Civil War, the Reconstruction era, and American slavery of African people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/hbo-max-removes-gone-wind-protests-racist/|title=HBO Max Silently Removes Gone With The Wind|first=Rebecca|last=Vanacker|work=ScreenRant|date=June 9, 2020|access-date=June 9, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610024650/https://screenrant.com/hbo-max-removes-gone-wind-protests-racist/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/hbo-max-removes-gone-with-the-wind-1202955106/|title=HBO Max Removes 'Gone With the Wind' From Streaming Platform, Says Film Will Return With "Discussion Of Its Historical Context"|first=Tom|last=Tapp|work=Deadline|date=June 9, 2020|access-date=June 10, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610035615/https://deadline.com/2020/06/hbo-max-removes-gone-with-the-wind-1202955106/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/movies/gone-with-the-wind-hbo-max.html|title='Gone With the Wind' Returns to HBO Max With a Few Additions|first=Jason|last=Bailey|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 25, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701192052/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/movies/gone-with-the-wind-hbo-max.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 27, 2020, it was revealed that [[Company:DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]] original ''Harley Quinn'' will stream its first two seasons on HBO Max.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/harley-quinn-animated-series-coming-to-hbo-max/|title=Harley Quinn Coming Soon to HBO Max|website=TV Shows|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713074710/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/harley-quinn-animated-series-coming-to-hbo-max/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 29, 2020, HBO Max secured the exclusive streaming rights of the [[Company:Oprah Winfrey Network|Oprah Winfrey Network]] series ''David Makes Man''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/david-makes-man-streaming-rights-hbo-max-1234693340/|title='David Makes Man' Streaming Rights Acquired by HBO Max|first1=Will|last1=Thorne|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705022044/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/david-makes-man-streaming-rights-hbo-max-1234693340/|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 18, 2020, it was announced that all DC Universe content would be migrating to HBO Max, including original shows like ''Titans'' and ''Young Justice'', which will have their newest seasons air exclusively on the service. In addition, both ''Doom Patrol'' and ''Harley Quinn'' have been renewed for third seasons exclusively for the service.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 18, 2020|title=DC UNIVERSE TRANSFORMS INTO DC UNIVERSE INFINITE, THE ULTIMATE COMIC BOOK SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE|url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2020/09/18/dc-universe-transforms-into-dc-universe-infinite-the-ultimate-comic-book|access-date=September 18, 2020|website=DC|language=en|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920093438/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2020/09/18/dc-universe-transforms-into-dc-universe-infinite-the-ultimate-comic-book|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=September 18, 2020|title='Harley Quinn' Renewed for Season 3 at HBO Max, DC Universe Transitions Out of Scripted Originals|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/harley-quinn-renewed-season-3-hbo-max-dc-universe-1234774781/|access-date=September 18, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001082847/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/harley-quinn-renewed-season-3-hbo-max-dc-universe-1234774781/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 28, 2020, it was announced that the 1990s series ''Tiny Toon Adventures'' would be rebooted for Cartoon Network and HBO Max as ''Tiny Toons Looniversity'', featuring older versions of the characters. Steven Spielberg is expected to return as executive producer. The show was given a two-season order.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tiny-toon-adventures-reboot-genndy-tartakovsky-unicorns-warriors-eternal-hbo-max-1234817737/|title='Tiny Toon Adventures' Reboot, Genndy Tartakovsky Series Ordered at HBO Max and Cartoon Network|first=Joe|last=Otterson|work=Variety|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028170454/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tiny-toon-adventures-reboot-genndy-tartakovsky-unicorns-warriors-eternal-hbo-max-1234817737/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2021, it was announced that WarnerMedia's international preschool brand Cartoonito would launch in the United States via Cartoon Network and HBO Max later in the year, with a slate of 50 series by 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Cartoon Network, HBO Max Double Down on Preschool Fare |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cartoon-network-hbo-max-double-down-on-preschool-fare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217231532/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cartoon-network-hbo-max-double-down-on-preschool-fare |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=State of the Biz: The rising power of under-fives |url=https://kidscreen.com/2022/03/23/state-of-the-biz-the-rising-power-of-under-fives/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Kidscreen |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710230000/https://kidscreen.com/2022/03/23/state-of-the-biz-the-rising-power-of-under-fives/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In renewing his contract with WarnerMedia, Conan O'Brien announced plans to move to a weekly variety format on HBO Max from his nightly TBS show, ending a 28-year run on late-night television between NBC and TBS in June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=November 17, 2020|title='Conan' To End On TBS In June 2021; Conan O'Brien Extends Deal With WarnerMedia For Weekly Variety Show On HBO Max|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/conan-to-end-on-tbs-conan-obrien-weekly-variety-show-hbo-max-1234617122/|access-date=June 28, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117175206/https://deadline.com/2020/11/conan-to-end-on-tbs-conan-obrien-weekly-variety-show-hbo-max-1234617122/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2021, [[Company:Funimation|Funimation]], a subsidiary of [[Company:Sony|Sony]], purchased Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion, with the intent to create a combined service that caters to anime entertainment.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/|title=Welcome to the Era of Big Anime|magazine=Wired|last=D'Anstasio|first=Cecelia|date=August 31, 2021|access-date=January 3, 2022|archive-date=January 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101193610/https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 1, 2022, HBO Max removed the Crunchyroll hub, instead redirecting subscribers to a "global animation" page that combines selected anime with other international animated films. Since then, the service has slowly started to remove anime from Crunchyroll's line up.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/hbo-max-drops-crunchyroll-2022/|title=HBO Max Set to Lose Crunchyroll Next Year|website=Comic Book|last=Valentine|first=Evan|date=December 3, 2021|access-date=January 3, 2022|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104043005/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/hbo-max-drops-crunchyroll-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 22, 2021, [[Company:The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] and WarnerMedia reached a deal to amend the pre-existing contract HBO had with 20th Century Studios to allow [[Software:Disney+|Disney+]] or [[Software:Hulu|Hulu]] and HBO Max to share the streaming rights to half of 20th Century Studios' and Searchlight Pictures' 2022 theatrical slate in the United States during the pay-one window, with ''Ron's Gone Wrong'' being the first film under the deal, becoming available on both Disney+ and HBO Max on December 15, 2021.<ref name="20thHBO2022">{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Disney, WarnerMedia Carve Up Fox Film Slate Streaming Rights Through End of 2022 (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/disney-warnermedia-fox-movies-streaming-2022-1235117329/ |website=Variety |date=22 November 2021 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531221143/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/disney-warnermedia-fox-movies-streaming-2022-1235117329/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Disney will still have full streaming rights to any 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures films produced for Disney+ or Hulu, while the Disney deal with WarnerMedia for streaming 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures films on HBO Max will end in 2022, with Disney+ and Hulu assuming the full pay-one rights to those films in the future.

On February 15, 2022, it was announced that first-run episodes of ''South Park'' would move to [[Software:Paramount+|Paramount+]] beginning with season 27 in 2024, and the series library would move from HBO Max to the service in the United States in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=2022-02-15 |title='South Park' to Stream Exclusively on Paramount Plus After HBO Max Deal Ends |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/south-park-stream-paramount-plus-1235182902/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509025129/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/south-park-stream-paramount-plus-1235182902/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 4, 2022, it was announced that selected Magnolia Network programs would become available on HBO Max in September 2022. Discovery+ will remain the main streaming home of its programming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=2022-08-04 |title=Magnolia Network Shows Go to HBO Max and CNN Originals Go to Discovery+ as Warner Bros. Discovery Keeps Streaming Services Separate, For Now |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/magnolia-network-hbo-max-cnn-originals-discovery-plus-1235192708/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804192438/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/magnolia-network-hbo-max-cnn-originals-discovery-plus-1235192708/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2022-08-04 |title='Fixer Upper' and Other Magnolia Network Shows Coming to HBO Max in September (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/fixer-upper-chip-joanna-gaines-magnolia-hbo-max-1235332338/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804185601/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/fixer-upper-chip-joanna-gaines-magnolia-hbo-max-1235332338/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 7, 2022, it was announced that the HBO Max original series ''Harley Quinn'' will have a Valentine's Day Special titled "''Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special"'' on February 23, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mitovich |first1=Matt Webb |date=2022-10-07 |title=Harley Quinn Valentine's Special Set for February, Will Also Check In on Superman/Lois and Other Couples |url=https://tvline.com/2022/10/07/harley-quinn-valentines-special-release-date-february-2023/ |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=TVLine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014095608/https://tvline.com/2022/10/07/harley-quinn-valentines-special-release-date-february-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===="{{vanchor|Project Popcorn}}": Warner Bros. same-day premieres====
In late 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WarnerMedia moved two Warner Bros. films originally intended as major theatrical releases to either exclusive or simultaneous releases on HBO Max. ''The Witches'' was released exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. on October 22,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holt |first1=Kris |title='The Witches' skips theaters for an HBO Max debut on October 22nd |url=https://www.engadget.com/the-witches-release-date-hbo-max-anne-hathaway-robert-zemeckis-145900255.html |access-date=November 1, 2020 |work=Engadget |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007230841/https://www.engadget.com/the-witches-release-date-hbo-max-anne-hathaway-robert-zemeckis-145900255.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Wonder Woman 1984'' debuted simultaneously in North American theaters and on HBO Max on December 25, although the latter was initially only available on the service for a month.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title='Wonder Woman 1984' Going In Theaters & HBO Max On Christmas Day, Unprecedented For A Superhero Tentpole |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/wonder-woman-1984-going-in-theaters-hbo-max-on-christmas-day-1234618288/ |website=Deadline |access-date=November 19, 2020 |date=November 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118235549/https://deadline.com/2020/11/wonder-woman-1984-going-in-theaters-hbo-max-on-christmas-day-1234618288/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Week-long free trials were discontinued in December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Mitchell|date=December 4, 2020|title=Hope you weren't planning to watch Wonder Woman 1984 with an HBO Max free trial|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/4/22154553/hbo-max-ditches-one-week-free-trial-ahead-of-wonder-woman-1984|access-date=December 5, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205171840/https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/4/22154553/hbo-max-ditches-one-week-free-trial-ahead-of-wonder-woman-1984|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 3, 2020, it was announced that the studio's entire 2021 film lineup would see a simultaneous theatrical release and a one-month limited release on the streaming service, starting with ''The Little Things'' on January 29.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 30, 2021|title=When Does 'The Little Things' Leave HBO Max?|url=https://collider.com/the-little-things-leaving-hbo-max-when-date/|access-date=February 17, 2021|website=Collider|language=en-US|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205190632/https://collider.com/the-little-things-leaving-hbo-max-when-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequent films released under the same-day theatrical/streaming window to date were ''Judas and the Black Messiah'' (February 12),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webb|first=Kevin|title=How to watch 'Judas and the Black Messiah' starring Daniel Kaluuya on HBO Max|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-watch-judas-and-the-black-messiah|access-date=February 17, 2021|website=Business Insider|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216233244/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-watch-judas-and-the-black-messiah|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Etienne|first=Vanessa|date=February 11, 2021|title=Here's How You Can Watch 'Judas and the Black Messiah'|url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a35482746/how-to-watch-judas-and-the-black-messiah/|access-date=February 17, 2021|website=Men's Health|language=en-US|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216142600/https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a35482746/how-to-watch-judas-and-the-black-messiah/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Tom and Jerry'' (February 26), ''Godzilla vs. Kong'' (March 31), ''Mortal Kombat'' (April 23), ''Those Who Wish Me Dead'' (May 14), ''The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It'' (June 4), ''In the Heights'' (June 10), ''Space Jam: A New Legacy'' (July 16), ''The Suicide Squad'' (August 5), ''Reminiscence'' (August 20), ''Malignant'' (September 10), ''Cry Macho'' (September 17), ''The Many Saints of Newark'' (October 1), ''Dune'' (October 22), ''King Richard'' (November 19), and ''The Matrix Resurrections'' (December 22). Standard release windows applied to each film after their initial limited-run streaming release on the service; HBO Max would then reassume streaming rights to the aforementioned Warner Bros. films upon their respective pay television premieres on the linear HBO service in mid-to-late 2021 or 2022, depending on the scheduled start of their individual HBO exhibition agreements.<ref>{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=December 3, 2020|title=Warner Bros Sets Entire 2021 Movie Slate To Debut On HBO Max Along With Cinemas In Seismic Windows Model Shakeup|url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/warner-bros-2021-movie-slate-hbo-max-matrix-4-dune-in-the-heights-1234649760/|access-date=December 14, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203194850/https://deadline.com/2020/12/warner-bros-2021-movie-slate-hbo-max-matrix-4-dune-in-the-heights-1234649760/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Whitbrook|first=James|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/every-2021-warner-bros-film-will-stream-on-hbo-max-for-1845800868|title=Every 2021 Warner Bros Film Will Stream on HBO Max for Free|access-date=December 7, 2020|date=December 3, 2020|work=Gizmodo|archive-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206122833/https://io9.gizmodo.com/every-2021-warner-bros-film-will-stream-on-hbo-max-for-1845800868|url-status=live}}</ref>

This decision, called "Project Popcorn" within Warner Bros.,<ref name="deadline-2022">{{cite web |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro |access-date=2022-01-03 |title=With Tentpoles Bound To Surge The 2022 Box Office, The Great Theatrical-Streaming Day & Date Experiment Goes Out Like A Dud In 2021 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/2022-box-office-theatrical-streaming-day-date-experiment-1234902774/ |date=3 January 2022 |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103194518/https://deadline.com/2022/01/2022-box-office-theatrical-streaming-day-date-experiment-1234902774/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was met with backlash from filmmakers, production companies, the Directors Guild of America, the Creative Artists Agency, and movie theater owners as Warner Bros. had not informed anyone about their plan ahead of the announcement.<ref name="nolan-hbo-max">{{Cite web|title=Christopher Nolan Rips HBO Max as "Worst Streaming Service," Denounces Warner Bros.' Plan|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan|access-date=December 14, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210140654/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dune-hbo-max">{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2020|title='Dune' Producer Legendary Entertainment May Sue Warner Bros. Over HBO Max Deal|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/legendary-entertainment-warner-bros-hbo-max-deal-dune-godzilla-1234847605/|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211055233/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/legendary-entertainment-warner-bros-hbo-max-deal-dune-godzilla-1234847605/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="director-guild-usa">{{Cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=December 9, 2020|title=Directors Guild Criticizes Warner Bros. Over HBO Max Deal|language=en-US|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/directors-guild-warner-bros-hbo-max-deal-1234849614/|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211015238/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/directors-guild-warner-bros-hbo-max-deal-1234849614/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="caa-hbo-max">{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McNary|date=December 10, 2020|title=CAA President Blasts WarnerMedia Streaming Plan: 'You Are Trying to Take Advantage of Our Clients'|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/caa-blasts-warner-bros-hbo-max-1234851004/|access-date=December 10, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211210529/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/caa-blasts-warner-bros-hbo-max-1234851004/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="amc-hbo-max">{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=December 3, 2020|title=AMC Boss Adam Aron Slams Warner Bros HBO Max 2021 Theatrical Window Concept: Studio Sacrificing "Considerable" Profit|url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/amc-responds-to-hbo-max-warner-bros-theatrical-model-2021-suicide-squad-matrix-4-dune-1234650125/|access-date=December 14, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210042903/https://deadline.com/2020/12/amc-responds-to-hbo-max-warner-bros-theatrical-model-2021-suicide-squad-matrix-4-dune-1234650125/|url-status=live}}</ref> Viewership of the films varied, with ''Mortal Kombat'' reaching 3.8 million, ''The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It'' totaling 1.6 million, and ''In the Heights'' totaling 693,000 (according to [[Software:Samba TV|Samba TV]], as WarnerMedia does not report viewership numbers for HBO Max).<ref>{{cite news | last=D'Alessandro | first=Anthony | url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/in-the-heights-hbo-max-viewership-box-office-opening-1234774865/ | title='In The Heights' Has Slow Start On HBO Max In Addition To Soft Box Office Opening, Samba TV Says | date=June 14, 2021 | work=Deadline Hollywood | access-date=June 14, 2021 | archive-date=June 14, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614181307/https://deadline.com/2021/06/in-the-heights-hbo-max-viewership-box-office-opening-1234774865/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Warner Bros. spent over $200{{nbsp}}million alone compensating talent for the shift to streaming; ''Deadline'' reported in January 2022 that such a business move "will never occur again given its high cost".<ref name="deadline-2022"/>

In March 2021, it was announced that Warner Bros. would discontinue same-day releases in 2022, as part of an agreement the studio reached with Cineworld (who operates Regal Cinemas) and will instead use a 45-day exclusive release window for theaters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Tartaglione |first2=Nancy |title=Regal Cinemas To Reopen In April; Parent Cineworld & Warner Bros Reach Multi-Year Deal To Show WB Films In U.S. & UK |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/cineworld-regal-warner-bros-deal-theatrical-windows-us-cinemas-reopening-1234719255/ |website=Deadline |access-date=March 24, 2021 |date=March 23, 2021 |quote=Cineworld and Warner Bros have also hatched a multi-year agreement that will see the No. 2 global exhibitor show the studio's 2021 theatrical and HBO Max day-and-date titles in the U.S. as of their theatrical release. Then, beginning in 2022, Warner Bros theatrical films will have a 45-day window of theatrical exclusivity at Cineworld's Regal chain. |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909212321/https://deadline.com/2021/03/cineworld-regal-warner-bros-deal-theatrical-windows-us-cinemas-reopening-1234719255/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Matrix Resurrections'' was the final film released in 2021 as part of Project Popcorn. The 45-day release window for HBO Max was only used for two films (''The Batman'' and ''Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'') before it was reported in August 2022 that as part of a restructuring of Warner Bros' film distribution strategy following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc, the length of the window would now be decided for each film on a case-by-case basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/warner-bros-movies-hbo-max-45-day-release-release-window-cancelled/|title=Warner Bros. Movies No Longer Moving to HBO Max After 45 Days in Theaters|website=Collider|date=August 5, 2022|access-date=September 7, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805210713/https://collider.com/warner-bros-movies-hbo-max-45-day-release-release-window-cancelled/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
AT&T chairman and CEO Randall L. Stephenson did not rule out adding live sporting events from Turner Sports to HBO Max in the future.<ref name=":1" />

* Turner Sports' broadcast rights to the National Hockey League as of the 2021–22 season includes an option for HBO Max to hold over-the-top streaming rights, including simulcasts of games aired on TNT, and games exclusive to the service. WarnerMedia executives stated upon the announcement of the contract that they were still exploring options for these rights.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=April 27, 2021 |title=WarnerMedia News & Sports Chief Jeff Zucker Taps Brakes On HBO Max NHL Streaming: "It's Not Imminent" |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/warnermedia-news-sports-chief-jeff-zucker-taps-brakes-on-hbo-max-nhl-streaming-its-not-imminent-1234744931/ |access-date=April 27, 2021 |work=Deadline |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427185305/https://deadline.com/2021/04/warnermedia-news-sports-chief-jeff-zucker-taps-brakes-on-hbo-max-nhl-streaming-its-not-imminent-1234744931/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On March 1, 2022, Turner Sports announced an eight-year deal to hold rights to United States men's and women's national soccer team home matches, such as FIFA World Cup qualifying and international friendlies. This excludes FIFA and CONCACAF events, whose rights are held by Fox, and away matches, whose rights are held by whoever holds the rights to the home team's matches. It was stated that at least half the matches per-season will be exclusive to HBO Max.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-01 |title=WarnerMedia signs eight-year deal with U.S. Soccer for men's and women's national team matches |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/warner-media-us-soccer-deal-hbo-max-tnt-tbs.html |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302063912/https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/warner-media-us-soccer-deal-hbo-max-tnt-tbs.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Technologies and accessibility ==
At launch, HBO Max did not support [[Engineering:Ultra-high-definition television|4K]], [[Engineering:High-dynamic-range video|HDR]], [[Engineering:Dolby Vision|Dolby Vision]], or [[Engineering:Dolby Atmos|Dolby Atmos]], but support for these technologies were planned as "part of the HBO Max product roadmap".<ref>{{Cite web|title=HBO Max is live: $15/mo for a massive library, significant headaches|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/05/hbo-max-impressions-the-blockbuster-video-of-streaming-not-a-compliment/|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=May 28, 2020|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529072611/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/05/hbo-max-impressions-the-blockbuster-video-of-streaming-not-a-compliment/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Everything you need to know about HBO Max|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/27/21266205/hbo-max-pricing-devices-launch-date-free-upgrade-shows|last=Heller|first=Emily|date=May 27, 2020|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531071824/https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/27/21266205/hbo-max-pricing-devices-launch-date-free-upgrade-shows|url-status=live}}</ref> Support for 4K, HDR, and Atmos was added starting with the release of ''Wonder Woman 1984'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Excited to announce that #WW84 will be the first film on HBO Max available in 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, Dolby Vision AND Dolby Atmos! Can't wait. IN THEATERS on Dec. 25th and exclusively streaming in the US on @hbomax. PLEASE find the biggest and highest quality screen you can!! |url=https://twitter.com/PattyJenks/status/1333861228695875584 |website=Twitter |access-date=December 1, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201205213/https://twitter.com/PattyJenks/status/1333861228695875584?s=20 |url-status=live }}</ref> with WarnerMedia promising to add more content in these formats throughout 2021 and beyond.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Welch |first1=Chris |title=Wonder Woman 1984 will be the first title that HBO Max streams in 4K |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/1/21813364/wonder-woman-1984-4k-ultra-hd-dolby-vision-atmos-announced |website=The Verge |access-date=January 31, 2021 |language=en |date=December 1, 2020 |quote=This is the very start, and HBO Max will "expand these capabilities to further films and TV series, as well as adding support for additional devices, throughout 2021." |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217135100/https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/1/21813364/wonder-woman-1984-4k-ultra-hd-dolby-vision-atmos-announced |url-status=live }}</ref>

The service provided [[Engineering:Closed captioning|closed captioning]] support at launch, but initially lacked support for [[Engineering:Audio description|audio description]] (AD) for those with visual impairments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acb.org/adp/streaming.html|title=Streaming Video Services Offering Audio Description|work=The Audio Description Project|publisher=American Council of the Blind|date=May 27, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2020|quote=[U]sers report that there is no AD in this [HBO Max] App, and it is not very accessible.|archive-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506141216/https://www.acb.org/adp/streaming.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, the American Council of the Blind announced it had reached a settlement with WarnerMedia whereby at least 1,500 hours of HBO Max content will be available with AD by the end of March 2021, increasing to at least 6,000 hours by March 2023, along with other [[Engineering:Accessibility|accessibility]] enhancements to the website and apps by September 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acb.org/HBO-accessibility|title=Accessibility Enhancements on the Horizon for HBO Max Customers Who are Blind|author=American Council of the Blind|date=October 19, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101025135/https://acb.org/HBO-accessibility|url-status=live}}</ref> HBO Max later began rolling out AD on select titles on March 26, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=HBO Max Rolls Out Audio Described Content |url=https://acb.org/HBO-Max-audio-description |publisher=American Council of the Blind |access-date=April 2, 2021 |date=March 26, 2021 |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329132616/https://www.acb.org/HBO-Max-audio-description |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Distribution==

=== United States ===
The majority of active subscribers to the HBO pay TV service (which previously included HBO Go), and most customers that were subscribed to HBO Now at time of launch, can access HBO Max for no extra charge, with all three services generally sharing the same price point of $14.99 per month. However, this transition is contingent on the customer's current provider or biller having signed a new distribution agreement for HBO Max with WarnerMedia.<ref name="variety-hbo-confusion">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hbo-max-now-go-warnermedia-price-branding-1203388699/|title=HBO Max vs. HBO Now vs. HBO Go: Why WarnerMedia's Strategy May Lead to Brand Confusion|first1=Todd|last1=Spangler|first2=Michael|last2=Schneider|work=Variety|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=October 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031005101/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hbo-max-now-go-warnermedia-price-branding-1203388699/|archive-date=October 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fiercevideo-pitch">{{cite web|title=WarnerMedia chief pitches HBO Max to Comcast and other distributors|url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/cable/warnermedia-chief-pitches-hbo-max-to-comcast-and-other-distributors|last=Munson|first=Ben|date=November 20, 2019|work=FierceVideo|access-date=January 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101174325/https://www.fiercevideo.com/cable/warnermedia-chief-pitches-hbo-max-to-comcast-and-other-distributors|archive-date=January 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 27, 2020, as part of an agreement with Time Warner that renewed its carriage contract for the Turner Broadcasting System networks and gave its over-the-top television service Sling TV distribution rights to the linear HBO channel, [[Company:Dish Network|Dish Network]] secured an option to become a distribution partner for HBO Max following the exclusivity period with Apple.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turner and Dish Reach New Distribution Pact|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/turner-and-dish-reach-new-distribution-pact-1427905296|author=Joe Flint|author2=Shalini Ramachandran|newspaper={{wipe|The Wall Street Journal}}|publisher=News Corp.|date=May 27, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801201621/https://www.wsj.com/articles/turner-and-dish-reach-new-distribution-pact-1427905296|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=HBO is coming to Sling TV this month|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/1/8326089/hbo-coming-to-sling-tv|author=Chris Welch|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|date=May 27, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801125457/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/1/8326089/hbo-coming-to-sling-tv|url-status=live}}</ref> HBO content is also available as a premium add-on for DirecTV Stream and [[Software:Hulu|Hulu]] for the same $14.99 price as HBO Max.<ref>[https://www.consumerreports.org/movies-tv/ways-to-watch-hbo/ 6 Ways to Watch HBO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101020806/https://www.consumerreports.org/movies-tv/ways-to-watch-hbo/ |date=November 1, 2021 }}. Consumer Reports.</ref>

In announcing HBO Max, WarnerMedia immediately confirmed that HBO subscribers on AT&T-owned platforms (including AT&T TV, [[Company:DirecTV|DirecTV]], U-verse, and AT&T Mobility) will receive HBO Max on-launch at no additional charge.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Millions of HBO and HBO Now subscribers will get HBO Max for free|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/heres-how-hbo-max-will-work-for-hbo-and-hbo-now-subscribers-next-year/|last=Katzmaier|first=David|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030202302/https://www.cnet.com/how-to/heres-how-hbo-max-will-work-for-hbo-and-hbo-now-subscribers-next-year/|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=AT&T plans to include HBO Max for free at launch for 10M current subscribers|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/at-t-plans-to-include-hbo-max-for-free-at-launch-for-10-million-current-subscribers/|last=Blumenthal|first=Eli|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030202259/https://www.cnet.com/news/at-t-plans-to-include-hbo-max-for-free-at-launch-for-10-million-current-subscribers/|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> AT&T customers who are subscribed to their highest-tiered internet, TV and wireless plans will also receive HBO Max for free, while those on lower-tiered plans will get a free trial ranging from one month to one year.<ref>{{cite web|title=AT&T wireless, internet customers can get one month of HBO Max free|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/at-t-wireless-internet-customers-can-get-one-month-of-hbo-max-free/|last=Solsman|first=Joan E.|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518021448/https://www.cnet.com/news/at-t-wireless-internet-customers-can-get-one-month-of-hbo-max-free/|archive-date=May 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Existing HBO Now subscribers billed directly by HBO were also migrated to HBO Max on-launch at no additional charge. On April 27, 2020, an agreement was announced for HBO Now subscribers via Apple (both in-app subscriptions and Apple TV Channels) to be migrated to HBO Max. Content from HBO Max will be listed in the [[Software:Apple TV app|Apple TV app]] along with there being a dedicated HBO Max hub in the app.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |title=HBO Max Sets Apple Deal For Streaming Distribution |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/hbo-max-apple-streaming-distribution-1202918784/ |website=Deadline |access-date=April 27, 2020 |language=en |date=April 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427182744/https://deadline.com/2020/04/hbo-max-apple-streaming-distribution-1202918784/ |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/27/21238601/hbo-max-apple-subscribers-free-now-in-app-purchase-tv-channel|title=WarnerMedia expands free HBO Max deal to HBO subscribers who pay through Apple's services|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=April 27, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428071900/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/27/21238601/hbo-max-apple-subscribers-free-now-in-app-purchase-tv-channel|archive-date=April 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On [[Engineering:Apple TV|Apple TV]] devices, HBO Max is available to the regular fourth generation Apple TV and fifth and sixth generation Apple TV 4K; earlier versions which do not support third-party app download are not supported.
 
At launch, HBO Max was only available to customers in the United States and certain territories of the same country. Due to regional rights restrictions, HBO cannot offer the service outside of the country, and its terms of use explicitly forbid the service from being used outside the United States. Users from outside the U.S. that are detected to have used services such as [[Virtual private network|virtual private network]]s (VPN) to evade the [[Social:Geo-blocking|geo-blocking]] to use HBO Max are subject to have their services terminated with no refund.<ref name=bbc-hbonowoutsideus>{{cite news|title=HBO Max users outside US to be 'cut off'|work=BBC News|date=April 21, 2015|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32392639|access-date=22 April 2015|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030072456/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32392639|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=fp-hbonowblock>{{cite news|title=HBO is cracking down on Canadians accessing streaming service HBO Max|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/hbo-is-cracking-down-on-canadians-accessing-streaming-service-hbo-now|access-date=22 April 2015|work=Financial Post|date=22 April 2015|archive-date=June 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614061557/http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/hbo-is-cracking-down-on-canadians-accessing-streaming-service-hbo-now|url-status=live}}</ref>

WarnerMedia subsequently negotiated with other pay TV providers for similar arrangements.<ref name="fiercevideo-pitch" /> On February 20, 2020, WarnerMedia announced a distribution deal with YouTube TV that would allow members to add HBO and Cinemax, while also being able to include HBO Max as an add-on.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HBO and HBO Max are headed to YouTube TV|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/20/21145651/youtube-tv-hbo-streaming-max-cinemax-carriage-deal|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=February 20, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222033737/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/20/21145651/youtube-tv-hbo-streaming-max-cinemax-carriage-deal|archive-date=February 22, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 15, 2020, WarnerMedia announced a similar deal with Charter Spectrum (which acquired Warner's former cable division after it was spun off in 2009, in May 2016) to give access to HBO Max for HBO subscribers via their [[Engineering:TV Everywhere|TV Everywhere]] credentials.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/15/21222618/hbo-max-charter-free-customers-subscribers-warnermedia-comcast-peacock|title=Charter customers who pay for HBO will get HBO Max free when it launches next month|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=April 15, 2020|publisher=[[The Verge]]|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416071936/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/15/21222618/hbo-max-charter-free-customers-subscribers-warnermedia-comcast-peacock|archive-date=April 16, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> A similar agreement was announced with [[Software:Hulu|Hulu]] on May 1 for most existing subscribers via Hulu + Live TV, as well as being available as an add-on to all other plans on the service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hulu to Offer HBO Max at Launch, Free to Most Current HBO Customers|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hulu-hbo-max-launch-free-current-subscribers-1234595511/|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=May 1, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502022128/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hulu-hbo-max-launch-free-current-subscribers-1234595511/|archive-date=May 2, 2020|access-date=May 2, 2020}}</ref> On May 20, 2020, it was announced that WarnerMedia had made distribution deals with [[Company:Altice USA|Altice USA]], Cox Communications, [[Engineering:Xbox|Xbox]], [[Company:Samsung|Samsung]], [[Engineering:PlayStation|PlayStation]], [[Company:Verizon Communications|Verizon Communications]] and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC).<ref>{{Cite web|title=WarnerMedia Locks HBO Max Distribution Deals With Seven New Partners, From Pay-TV To PlayStation, Xbox And Samsung|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/warnermedia-locks-hbo-max-distribution-deals-with-seven-new-partners-from-pay-tv-to-playstation-xbox-and-samsung-1202939401/|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=May 20, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520170853/https://deadline.com/2020/05/warnermedia-locks-hbo-max-distribution-deals-with-seven-new-partners-from-pay-tv-to-playstation-xbox-and-samsung-1202939401/|archive-date=May 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> An agreement with Comcast (Xfinity) was announced a few hours after the platform's launch.<ref name="wsj-amazon-roku-impasse">{{cite web|last=Keys|first=Matthew|date=November 19, 2020|title=HBO Max Leaves AT&T at Odds With Amazon and Roku|url=https://thedesk.matthewkeys.net/2020/11/roku-hbo-max-deal-close/|access-date=December 1, 2020|work=The Desk|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202111956/https://thedesk.matthewkeys.net/2020/11/roku-hbo-max-deal-close/|url-status=live}}</ref> HBO Max is also available on Xfinity Flex and Cox Contour Stream Player.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=HBO Max Available Directly on Comcast Xfinity Set-Tops |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-comcast-xfinity-set-tops-1234853907/ |access-date=21 May 2021 |work=Variety |date=2020-12-15 |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521021634/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-comcast-xfinity-set-tops-1234853907/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=HBO Max Now Available on Cox Cable TV Set-Tops |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/hbo-max-cox-contour-set-tops-1234927227/ |access-date=21 May 2021 |work=Variety |date=2021-03-10 |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521021618/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/hbo-max-cox-contour-set-tops-1234927227/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The most prominent platforms without agreements to carry HBO Max at the launch were [[Company:Amazon|Amazon]] (maker of the [[Engineering:Amazon Fire TV|Fire TV]] and [[Engineering:Fire HD|Fire HD]] devices) and [[Company:Roku, Inc.|Roku]], which together are estimated to control 70% of the U.S. streaming player market.<ref name="wsj-amazon-roku-impasse" /> With both platforms, non-Max HBO content remained available as usual through the companies' respective channels platforms and/or through HBO Now (which was rebranded to just "HBO" on July 31, 2020) while deals for HBO Max were being worked out. On May 13, 2020, John Stankey, CEO of AT&T, revealed to ''Variety'' that Amazon was very unlikely to become a launch partner for HBO Max; the parties have remained at an impasse following the launch, reportedly due to a disagreement about whether Amazon can host the additional Max programming directly on its [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime Video]] Channels platform as it does for HBO currently.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Stankey: AT&T's SVOD and Linear TV Platforms to 'Become One' in Future|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/john-stankey-att-hbo-max-warnermedia-1234605349/|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=May 13, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516185237/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/john-stankey-att-hbo-max-warnermedia-1234605349/|archive-date=May 16, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="wsj-amazon-roku-impasse" /> On November 16, 2020, it was announced that WarnerMedia and Amazon had reached an agreement to make HBO Max available on Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices beginning the following day, while also allowing subscribers of HBO via Prime Video Channels access to the HBO Max app at no extra cost (although the additional Max programming will still not be hosted on the Prime Video Channels platform).<ref name="vty-amazon-deal">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-launch-amazons-fire-tv-1234832829/|title=HBO Max Is Finally Coming to Amazon Fire TV|first=Todd|last=Spangler|work=Variety|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117180313/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-launch-amazons-fire-tv-1234832829/|url-status=live}}</ref> The dispute with Roku was reported to hinge on carriage commissions and advertising sales on the future ad-supported tier.<ref name="wsj-amazon-roku-impasse" /> On December 16, 2020, it was announced that WarnerMedia and Roku had reached an agreement to make HBO Max available on Roku devices beginning the following day, while also allowing subscribers of HBO via Roku Channels access to the HBO Max app at no extra cost (although the additional Max programming will still not be hosted on the Roku Channels platform); conversely, Roku remote controls from the past five years which included an HBO Now app shortcut button now route viewers directly to the HBO Max app instead.<ref>{{cite web|title=HBO Max Seals Deal With Roku, Making Streaming Distribution Footprint Complete|date=December 16, 2020|url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/hbo-max-roku-streaming-warnermedia-wonder-woman-1984-1234657874/|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216220841/https://deadline.com/2020/12/hbo-max-roku-streaming-warnermedia-wonder-woman-1984-1234657874/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Company:Dish Network|Dish Network]] was also erroneously mentioned as a holdout in some media reports; HBO has not been available at all from Dish since late 2018 due to a separate dispute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/11/09/why-millions-dish-networks-customers-have-been-cut-off-hbo/|title=Why millions of Dish Network's customers have been cut off from HBO|first=Brian|last=Fung|newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}}|date=November 9, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813065911/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/11/09/why-millions-dish-networks-customers-have-been-cut-off-hbo/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 29, 2021, WarnerMedia and Dish announced that they had reached an agreement to resolve the dispute and restore HBO to Dish's satellite service, along with offering access to HBO Max to HBO subscribers via Dish at no extra cost.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |title=HBO And Dish Network Resolve Nearly 3-Year Carriage Impasse, Firming Up New Deal Including Promo Discounts |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/hbo-max-dish-network-resolve-carriage-impasse-streaming-1234802301/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=29 July 2021 |date=29 July 2021 |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928014100/https://deadline.com/2021/07/hbo-max-dish-network-resolve-carriage-impasse-streaming-1234802301/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There were plans for HBO Max to introduce an ad-supported tier by 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/hbo-max-price-launch-date-may-2020-1203387216/|title=HBO Max Sets Monthly Pricing, May 2020 Launch Date|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=October 29, 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225071501/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/hbo-max-price-launch-date-may-2020-1203387216/|archive-date=December 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> with AT&T later announcing during their Investor Day event on March 12, 2021, that the tier would launch in June of the same year.<ref>{{cite web |title=AT&T Provides Update on Strategy, Financial Outlook |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210312005246/en/ATT-Provides-Update-on-Strategy-Financial-Outlook |website=Business Wire |access-date=March 13, 2021 |language=en |date=March 12, 2021 |quote=Also in June, the company expects to launch in the U.S. market an advertising-supported (AVOD) version of HBO Max. |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312131646/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210312005246/en/ATT-Provides-Update-on-Strategy-Financial-Outlook/ |url-status=live }}</ref> HBO original programming will continue to be ad-free for subscribers of the tier, but the tier will not allow access to Same-Day Premieres.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alexander |first1=Julia |title=HBO Max will debut its cheaper, ad-supported tier in June |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/12/22327217/hbo-max-ad-supported-tier-launch-date-international-price-subscriber-growth |website=The Verge |access-date=March 13, 2021 |language=en |date=March 12, 2021 |quote=The main difference between the ad-supported tier and the normal plan is access to same-day theatrical releases, Kilar added. Customers on the ad-supported plan won't be able to watch Dune on HBO Max when it lands, for example. Kilar also confirmed that ads won't play on HBO original titles like Euphoria, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones. |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312203829/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/12/22327217/hbo-max-ad-supported-tier-launch-date-international-price-subscriber-growth |url-status=live }}</ref> WarnerMedia later announced during their 2021 upfront presentation on May 19 that the ad-supported tier would launch during the first week of June at a price point of $9.99 a month.<ref>{{cite web |title=HBO Max Announces Ad-Supported Tier Pricing, Previews New Original Series and Content Premieres And Debuts Advertising Experience at 2021 WarnerMedia Upfront |url=https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/hbo-max-announces-ad-supported-tier-pricing-previews-new-original-series-and-content |website=WarnerMedia Pressroom |access-date=June 10, 2021 |language=en |date=May 19, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519175218/https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/hbo-max-announces-ad-supported-tier-pricing-previews-new-original-series-and-content |url-status=live }}</ref> The tier would end up launching on June 3, while also adding a yearly option for both tiers (priced at $99.99 a year for the ad-supported tier and $149.99 a year for the ad-free tier).<ref>{{cite web |title=New HBO Max Ad-Supported Tier Is Available Today |url=https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/new-hbo-max-ad-supported-tier-available-today |website=WarnerMedia Pressroom |access-date=June 10, 2021 |date=June 3, 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610144107/https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/new-hbo-max-ad-supported-tier-available-today |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== International expansion ===
Localized versions of HBO Max launched on June 29, 2021, in Latin America and the Caribbean,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tudocelular.com/meego/noticias/n174950/hbo-max-chega-em-junho-ao-brasil-por-27-90-rumor.html|title=HBO Max chega ao Brasil em 29 de junho a partir de R$19,97|trans-title=HBO Max comes to Brazil in June 29 starting with R$19,97|language=pt|website=TudoCelular|date=May 26, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526123645/https://www.tudocelular.com/meego/noticias/n174950/hbo-max-chega-em-junho-ao-brasil-por-27-90-rumor.html|url-status=live}}</ref> on October 26, 2021, in Andorra, Spain and the Nordics (excluding Iceland), and on March 8, 2022, in Central & Eastern Europe and Portugal, in part by converting existing streaming services operated by HBO in some of those markets to the HBO Max platform.<ref name="deadline">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/warnermedia-confirms-may-2020-launch-of-hbo-max-along-with-growth-goals-1202771551/|title=WarnerMedia Confirms May 2020 Launch Of HBO Max Along With Growth Goals|first=Dade|last=Hayes|work=Deadline|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029231501/https://deadline.com/2019/10/warnermedia-confirms-may-2020-launch-of-hbo-max-along-with-growth-goals-1202771551/|archive-date=October 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tbi-websummit-2020">{{cite web|url=https://tbivision.com/2020/12/04/warnermedia-reveals-hbo-max-global-plans-as-streamer-gains-studios-movie-slate/|title=WarnerMedia reveals HBO Max global plans, as streamer gains studio's movie slate|first1=Richard|last1=Middleton|first2=Jonathan|last2=Easton|work=Television Business International|publisher=[[Company:Informa|Informa]]|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205102629/https://tbivision.com/2020/12/04/warnermedia-reveals-hbo-max-global-plans-as-streamer-gains-studios-movie-slate/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the interim, some HBO Max original programs have been made available on WarnerMedia's existing international platforms, also including HBO Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldscreen.com/tvasia/warnermedia-brings-hbo-max-originals-to-channels-hbo-go-in-asia/|title=WarnerMedia Brings HBO Max Originals to Channels & HBO GO in Asia|work=TVAsia.ws|publisher=WorldScreen|first=Kristin|last=Brzoznowski|date=May 29, 2020|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604003319/https://worldscreen.com/tvasia/warnermedia-brings-hbo-max-originals-to-channels-hbo-go-in-asia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1263423844532072448|author=HBO Max España|user=HBO_ES|title=Cada romance tiene su propia historia. #LoveLife, con Anna Kendrick, llega el 28 de mayo a #HBOEspaña.|date=May 21, 2020}}</ref><!-- please feel free to replace with non-tweet sources if available -->

In other countries, HBO and/or HBO Max original programs are licensed to third-party networks and streaming services under long-term deals. In these cases, HBO Max has left it up to individual rightsholders to decide whether to offer its programming on an over-the-top basis. The extent and lengths of the deals vary by country; not all networks that carry HBO programs also carry HBO Max programs, and in some cases individual programs are carried by different services.<ref name="cp-crave">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/bell-hbo-deal-crave-1.5340676|title=Bell Media bolsters Crave's streaming library under new deal with HBO|first=David|last=Friend|work=The Canadian Press (via CBCNews.ca)|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030232903/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/bell-hbo-deal-crave-1.5340676|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="finder-foxtel">{{cite web|url=https://www.finder.com.au/foxtel-hbo-warner-australia-deal-explained|title=New Foxtel HBO Warner Bros streaming TV deal explained|first=Chris|last=Stead|work=Finder.com.au|date=May 8, 2020|access-date=May 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522052800/https://www.finder.com.au/foxtel-hbo-warner-australia-deal-explained|archive-date=May 22, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="var-sky">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-sky-hbo-programming-deal-1203388088/|title=Sky and HBO Strike New Programming Deal|first=Stewart|last=Clarke|work=Variety|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030102105/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-sky-hbo-programming-deal-1203388088/|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

WarnerMedia said in late 2019 that it planned to continue HBO's existing international licensing partnerships for the time being.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-hbo-max-may-approach-global-rollout-1250697|title=How HBO Max May Approach Its Global Rollout|first=Georg|last=Szalai|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030155530/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-hbo-max-may-approach-global-rollout-1250697|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> However, as part of the WarnerMedia further restructuring announced in August 2020, WarnerMedia president Jason Kilar said HBO Max would be expanding its scope globally.<ref name="thr-restructure-2020" /> Operations chief Andy Forssell indicated later that year that the company ultimately plans to have HBO Max active in 190 countries, but that a timeline for most of the remaining countries had not been decided.<ref name="tbi-websummit-2020" />

=== Latin America and the Caribbean ===
HBO Max was launched on June 29, 2021, in the 39 territories of Latin America and the Caribbean, where HBO already operated directly its streaming service HBO Go, and premium television channels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xataka.com.mx/streaming/oficial-hbo-max-llegara-a-mexico-junio-este-ano-para-sustituir-a-hbo-go|title=oficial: HBO Max llegará a México en junio de este año para sustituir a HBO Go|website=Xataka.com.mx|date=February 11, 2021|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705203030/https://www.xataka.com.mx/streaming/oficial-hbo-max-llegara-a-mexico-junio-este-ano-para-sustituir-a-hbo-go|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-pricing-launch-date-1202771551/|title=WarnerMedia Confirms Price And Launch Date For HBO Max|website=Deadline|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705203028/https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-pricing-launch-date-1202771551/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
Before the launch of HBO Max, Canadian rights to HBO-owned-and-distributed programming were held by Bell Media, the mass-media unit of telecom company Bell Canada.{{efn|By coincidence, Bell Canada was formerly part-owned by WarnerMedia's 2018–2022 parent company AT&T until 1975; however Bell's relationship with HBO predated AT&T's acquisition of WarnerMedia. Bell Media and its predecessors had also had a separate partnership with Discovery, Inc. covering Discovery Channel Canada and related services, dating back to 1995, prior to the merger that formed WBD.}} 
Programming is offered through the hybrid Crave pay television and streaming service, which includes an HBO-branded multiplex channel that launched in 2008, and Bell's French-language pay service Super Écran.

In 2019, Bell Media announced an expanded partnership with WarnerMedia for the rights to scripted programming produced by Warner Bros. and its affiliates for HBO Max. The deal does not include the rights to series produced for the service by third-party studios.<ref name="cp-crave" /> In addition, several youth and family-oriented shows produced for HBO Max were acquired by rival broadcaster Corus Entertainment for their specialty channels.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/corus-entertainment-s-powerful-specialty-portfolio-announces-lineup-of-2019-2020-orders-887531178.html | title=Corus Entertainment's Powerful Specialty Portfolio Announces Lineup of 2019–2020 Orders | access-date=December 21, 2021 | archive-date=December 4, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204020021/https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/corus-entertainment-s-powerful-specialty-portfolio-announces-lineup-of-2019-2020-orders-887531178.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/corus-ent-bolsters-specialty-portfolios-including-toons-for-all-ages/|title=Corus Ent. Bolsters Specialty Portfolios, Including Toons for All Ages|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823031027/https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/corus-ent-bolsters-specialty-portfolios-including-toons-for-all-ages/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TeletoonFall21">{{Cite web|url=https://www.corusent.com/news/ytv-teletoon-and-treehouse-deliver-non-stop-fun-this-fall/|title=Ytv, Teletoon, and Treehouse Deliver Non-Stop Fun This Fall|access-date=December 21, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913222224/https://www.corusent.com/news/ytv-teletoon-and-treehouse-deliver-non-stop-fun-this-fall/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As of August 2022, the merger of HBO Max and Discovery+ is not planned to release in Canada. Bell Media has also stated it does not plan to change its deal for rights to programming for HBO Max.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2022 |first=Kelly |last=Townsend |title=HBO Max, Discovery+ merger not planned for Canada |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2022/08/05/hbo-max-discovery-merger-not-planned-for-canada/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810231355/https://playbackonline.ca/2022/08/05/hbo-max-discovery-merger-not-planned-for-canada/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Europe ===
==== United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy ====
Under a long-term agreement until 2024 between HBO and Sky Group (Comcast), Sky operates Sky Atlantic which broadcasts the majority of HBO's programming. Sky Atlantic is available in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. In February 2011, Sky Atlantic launched on the Sky platforms in the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} and Ireland, which maintains a distribution deal with HBO to offer the majority of its programming on the channel. Under the five-year agreement between HBO and Sky, newer HBO programs will air on Sky Atlantic before airing on other television channels within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Before 2011, TG4 in Ireland had a long-term agreement to broadcast HBO programming free-to-air, this ceased following the creation of Sky Atlantic. In many other countries, HBO Max has licensed exclusive rights to its programming to television networks owned by third parties, including Sky Atlantic in the {{wipe|United Kingdom}}. In March 2021, WarnerMedia confirmed that HBO Max would not launch in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy before 2025 due to an existing deal for HBO programming with Sky Group which was renewed in 2019 but does not automatically include HBO Max programs produced by third-party companies or Warner Bros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/hbo-max-uk-launch-delayed-until-2025|title=HBO Max UK launch delayed until 2025|date=March 24, 2021|publisher=RX:TV|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324115949/https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/hbo-max-uk-launch-delayed-until-2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2021/03/23/sky-deal-behind-delayed-hbo-max-rollout-kilar-confirms/|title=Sky deal behind delayed HBO Max rollout, Kilar confirms|last=Easton|first=Jonathan|date=March 23, 2021|website=Digital TV Europe|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323202716/https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2021/03/23/sky-deal-behind-delayed-hbo-max-rollout-kilar-confirms/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/753098d2-2b26-425f-92af-6e413800f74e|title=Licensing deals put brakes on HBO Max rollout in Europe|newspaper=Financial Times|date=March 23, 2021|last1=Nicolaou|first1=Anna|last2=Barker|first2=Alex|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324113807/https://www.ft.com/content/753098d2-2b26-425f-92af-6e413800f74e|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Nordic countries and Spain ====
On August 15, 2012, HBO announced plans to launch HBO Nordic, a multiplatform video distribution service serving {{wipe|Norway}}, {{wipe|Denmark}}, Sweden and {{wipe|Finland}} that was created through a joint venture with Parsifal International.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hbo20th-20120815,0,5442974.story HBO and 20th Century Fox renew output deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818102433/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hbo20th-20120815,0,5442974.story |date=August 18, 2012 }}, ''{{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}'', August 15, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://in.reuters.com/article/us-netflixinc-scandinavia-idINBRE87E0JL20120815 Netflix, HBO to battle for Nordic viewers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426062137/http://in.reuters.com/article/us-netflixinc-scandinavia-idINBRE87E0JL20120815 |date=April 26, 2016 }}, {{wipe|Reuters}}, August 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Engineering:Video on demand|video on demand]] service launched in December 2012.<ref>[http://www.arcticstartup.com/2013/01/08/hbo-nordics-underwhelms-early-adopters HBO Nordic Underwhelms Early Adopters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511144258/http://www.arcticstartup.com/2013/01/08/hbo-nordics-underwhelms-early-adopters |date=May 11, 2015 }}, ''ArcticStartup'', January 8, 2013.</ref> HBO programming also airs in Iceland on Stöð 2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visir.is/g/2014483711d|title=Stöð 2 í samstarf við HBO – Vísir|date=March 12, 2014|access-date=October 29, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521091447/https://www.visir.is/g/2014483711d|url-status=live}}</ref>
In Spain, HBO programs were previously broadcast on pay television service Canal+, since 2011.<ref>[https://www.elcorreogallego.es/movil/hemeroteca/canal-plus-firma-un-acuerdo-hbo-emitir-primicia-mejores-peliculas-emisora-estadounidense-LACG627518 Canal Plus firma un acuerdo con HBO para emitir en primicia las mejores películas de la emisora estadounidense] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029183635/https://www.elcorreogallego.es/movil/hemeroteca/canal-plus-firma-un-acuerdo-hbo-emitir-primicia-mejores-peliculas-emisora-estadounidense-LACG627518 |date=October 29, 2021 }}, elcorreogallego.es</ref> In 2016, during the discontinuation of the Canal+ branding in Spain, HBO launched a standalone streaming service called HBO España, which is the Spanish equivalent of HBO Now and HBO Nordic.
HBO Europe had announced on multiple occasions that they were not aware that they were going to replace their current service with HBO Max, nor would their rates be increased.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/series/20200421/48673002356/hbo-max-fecha-lanzamiento.html|title=HBO Max has a release date to stand up to Netflix|access-date=April 30, 2020|date=April 21, 2020|website=La Vanguardia|language=en|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208222507/https://www.lavanguardia.com/series/20200421/48673002356/hbo-max-fecha-lanzamiento.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in December 2020, the head of HBO Max, Andy Forssell, revealed that all HBO services in Europe, including HBO España and HBO Nordic, will be replaced by HBO Max. On October 26, 2021, HBO Max was launched in the Nordics (excluding Iceland) and Spain and Andorra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-france-arte-1235153175/|website=Variety|date=13 January 2022|title=HBO Max France: Arte Executive Clementine Bobin Appointed Senior|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|access-date=April 9, 2022|archive-date=April 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409004709/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-france-arte-1235153175/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adslzone.net/noticias/streaming-tv/hbo-max-espana-26-octubre/|title=HBO Max arrives in Spain on October 26|access-date=2021-09-08|website=ADSLZone|language=es|archive-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120220941/https://www.adslzone.net/noticias/streaming-tv/hbo-max-espana-26-octubre/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Central and Eastern Europe and Portugal ====
In the 2010s HBO Europe launched streaming service HBO Go in 13 [[Place:Central and Eastern Europe|Central and Eastern Europe]]an countries. HBO programs in Portugal were previously broadcast on the premium television channel TVSéries from the services of TVCine, since 2015. In 2019, less than a year before the discontinuation of TVSeries, HBO Europe launched a standalone streaming service called HBO Portugal. Similarly to the Nordics and Spain, HBO Max was launched in Portugal<ref>{{Cite web|title=HBO Max chega a Portugal em março|url=https://mag.sapo.pt/amp/tv/atualidade-tv/artigos/hbo-max-chega-a-portugal-em-marco|access-date=2022-02-04|website=mag.sapo.pt|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204170149/https://mag.sapo.pt/amp/tv/atualidade-tv/artigos/hbo-max-chega-a-portugal-em-marco|url-status=live}}</ref> and Central and Eastern Europe on March 8, 2022,<ref name="Europe2022">{{Cite web|title=HBO Max is expanding to 15 more countries in March – TechCrunch|date=February 2022|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/02/01/hbo-max-is-expanding-to-15-more-countries-in-march/|access-date=2022-02-04|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204152846/https://techcrunch.com/2022/02/01/hbo-max-is-expanding-to-15-more-countries-in-march/|url-status=live}}</ref> replacing HBO Portugal and HBO Go.

Plans to also introduce HBO Max in certain Eastern European countries where HBO Go was absent, such as Turkey and Greece were announced on October 2021,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/global/hbo-max-territories-pricing-theatrical-europe-1235081132/|title=HBO Max Unveils New Territories, Pricing and 45-Day Theatrical-to-Streaming Window in Europe|last=Lang|first=Jamie|website=Variety|date=5 October 2021|access-date=5 October 2021|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005095323/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/global/hbo-max-territories-pricing-theatrical-europe-1235081132/|url-status=live}}</ref> but these plans were later halted, with Vodafone TV in Greece and various TV operators in Turkey, including Digiturk, instead getting the rights for various HBO and HBO Max programming.<ref name="Greece">{{Cite news |last=Αχείλα |first=Κωνσταντίνα |date=7 February 2023 |title=Οι ταινίες της Warner Bros. διαθέσιμες μέσω του Vodafone TV |website=IGN |url=https://gr.ign.com/warner-bros/104253/news/oi-tainies-tes-warner-bros-diathesimes-meso-tou-vodafone-tv |url-status=live |access-date=7 February 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209185003/https://gr.ign.com/warner-bros/104253/news/oi-tainies-tes-warner-bros-diathesimes-meso-tou-vodafone-tv }}</ref><ref name="Turkey">{{Cite news |date=6 October 2022 |title=House of Dragon'un Türkiye'deki yayın adresi belli oldu: 7 Ekim'de Bein Connect'te |url=https://www.diken.com.tr/house-of-dragonun-turkiyedeki-yayin-adresi-belli-oldu-7-ekimde-bein-connectte/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209192630/https://www.diken.com.tr/house-of-dragonun-turkiyedeki-yayin-adresi-belli-oldu-7-ekimde-bein-connectte/ }}</ref>

==== France ====
On November 13, 2008, [[Company:Orange S.A.|Orange]] launched Orange Cinéma Séries (renamed OCS in 2012), a five-channel package, dedicated to movie and series. The same year, OCS signed a long-term agreement with HBO. On October 10, 2013, they launched the channel OCS City (initially nicknamed Génération HBO) to broadcast only HBO productions. The HBO catalog is also available to stream on their streaming service. Since 2019, OCS has the complete exclusivity on the HBO catalog in France. Before that, other channels like Canal+, Canal+ Séries or NT1 could aired reruns of selected HBO series after their original run on OCS.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=9298|title=Orange sets November launch for movie bouquet|date=October 9, 2008|publisher=broadbandtvnews.com|access-date=December 18, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205030316/https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2008/10/09/orange-sets-november-launch-for-movie-bouquet/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, OCS do not have the rights on the HBO Max catalogue. The deal ended in December 2022, with HBO productions leaving OCS from January 2023 onwards.<ref name="france">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/global/global/hbo-max-france-vera-peltekian-canal-plus-1235092381/|title=HBO Max France: Canal Plus Executive Vera Peltekian Set to Lead Original Programming (EXCLUSIVE)|access-date=October 26, 2021|date=October 19, 2021|website=Variety|author=Elsa Keslassy|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019090147/https://variety.com/2021/global/global/hbo-max-france-vera-peltekian-canal-plus-1235092381/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2021, former Canal+ executive Vera Peltekian was appointed as VP and commissioning editor of original HBO Max programming for {{wipe|France}}. HBO Max launch in France was set for 2023, but was cancelled after the Warner Bros. Discovery merge which stopped the global rollout of HBO Max in order to launch later the combined platform with Discovery+.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.phonandroid.com/hbo-max-ne-sortira-jamais-en-europe-cest-confirme.html |title=HBO Max ne sortira jamais en France, c'est confirmé |access-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113195010/https://www.phonandroid.com/hbo-max-ne-sortira-jamais-en-europe-cest-confirme.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, Canal+, the TF1 Group, and Warner TV broadcast a selection of the Warner Bros.-produced scripted live-action Max Original series, certain films and reunion specials. Programs not owned by Warner Bros. (like Lionsgate's ''Love Life'') have been licensed separately to other French broadcasters. In October 2022, [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime Video]] signed a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to distribute the HBO Max programs owned by Warner Bros. in France.<ref name="france2">{{cite web|url=https://www.konbini.com/biiinge/une-partie-du-catalogue-hbo-max-arrive-en-france-sur-prime-video/|title=Une partie du catalogue HBO Max arrive en France sur Prime Video|access-date=December 31, 2022|date=October 18, 2022|website=Konbini|author=Adrien Delage|archive-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231173002/https://www.konbini.com/biiinge/une-partie-du-catalogue-hbo-max-arrive-en-france-sur-prime-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2023, it was announced that the deal was extended to all HBO productions, following the expiration of the deals with OCS for HBO productions and with Canal+ for carriage of Warner Bros. Discovery's TV channels in France, with the launch of "Le Pass Warner" (literally "Warner's Pass"), a [[Software:Amazon Prime Video#Amazon Channels|subscription-based channel]]. Selected programs (like ''The Last of Us'' and ''Peacemaker'') will be given a release without a subscription to the channel.<ref name="france3">{{cite web|url=https://www.lesnumeriques.com/svod/amazon-prime-video-tout-savoir-sur-le-futur-pass-warner-n203407.html|title=Amazon Prime Video : tout savoir sur le futur Pass Warner|access-date=January 16, 2023|date=January 16, 2023|website=Les Numériques|author=Thibaud Gomès-Léal|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115163647/https://www.lesnumeriques.com/svod/amazon-prime-video-tout-savoir-sur-le-futur-pass-warner-n203407.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Netherlands ====
On February 9, 2012, HBO Netherlands started as a joint venture between HBO and Dutch cable operator Ziggo. HBO Netherlands aired as a three-channel multiplex service in addition to offering a localized version of HBO Go to subscribers. HBO Netherlands was not limited to subscribers of Ziggo, instead, many Dutch cable operators offered HBO Netherlands. However, on September 28, 2016, HBO Netherlands announced that it would cease operations on December 31, 2016. That same day, it was announced that Ziggo had bought exclusive rights to HBO programming.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DPG Media Privacy Gate|url=https://myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl/consent/?siteKey=gepksszd79ws1uhc&callbackUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totaaltv.nl%2Fnieuws%2Fhbo-films-en-series-vanaf-2017-in-nederland-exclusief-bij-ziggo%2F|access-date=2021-12-15|website=myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205030311/https://myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl/consent/?siteKey=gepksszd79ws1uhc&callbackUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totaaltv.nl%2Fnieuws%2Fhbo-films-en-series-vanaf-2017-in-nederland-exclusief-bij-ziggo%2F|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 1, 2016, it was announced that Ziggo will offer HBO programming exclusively as part of their new ''Movies & Series'' service starting from January 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ziggo breidt TV Royaal uit met content van HBO en verhoogt prijs – update|url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/117397/ziggo-breidt-tv-royaal-uit-met-content-van-hbo-en-verhoogt-prijs.html|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Tweakers|language=NL|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215163111/https://tweakers.net/nieuws/117397/ziggo-breidt-tv-royaal-uit-met-content-van-hbo-en-verhoogt-prijs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2021, it was reported that Ziggo's rights to HBO programming is set to expire at the end of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DPG Media Privacy Gate|url=https://myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl/consent/?siteKey=gepksszd79ws1uhc&callbackUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totaaltv.nl%2Fnieuws%2Fziggo-hbo-max-in-2022-als-streamingdienst-in-nederland%2F|access-date=2021-12-15|website=myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205030312/https://myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl/consent/?siteKey=gepksszd79ws1uhc&callbackUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totaaltv.nl%2Fnieuws%2Fziggo-hbo-max-in-2022-als-streamingdienst-in-nederland%2F|url-status=live}}</ref> Ziggo confirmed that its HBO programming rights are set to expire on January 1, 2022, as a result of WarnerMedia launching HBO Max in The Netherlands in 2022. However, some recently aired seasons will remain on the ''Movies & Series'' service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ziggo neemt volgend jaar afscheid van meeste HBO-series en -films|url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/190444/ziggo-neemt-volgend-jaar-afscheid-van-meeste-hbo-series-en-films.html|access-date=2021-12-31|website=Tweakers|language=NL|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231105332/https://tweakers.net/nieuws/190444/ziggo-neemt-volgend-jaar-afscheid-van-meeste-hbo-series-en-films.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 1, 2022, the launch date was officially announced for March 8, 2022.<ref name="Europe" />

=== Australia and New Zealand ===
Fox Showcase, an Australian premium television service, began airing HBO original programming in 2012, through a licensed distribution arrangement with subscription television provider [[Company:Foxtel|Foxtel]]. Before this, limited HBO content was broadcast through the now-defunct Movie Network, which was founded by HBO (through Time Warner), Village Roadshow, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Disney–ABC International Television. HBO Originals are also available on-demand via Foxtel services [[Foxtel Now]] and [[Software:Binge (streaming service)|Binge]]. Sky Movies in [[Earth:New Zealand|New Zealand]] originally operated as a joint venture between HBO and Sky Network Television. The channel was renamed HBO in 1993; Time Warner later sold its share in the service to Sky in 1998, and it was renamed back to Sky Movies. HBO programming is currently shown by Sky channel SoHo, and its subscription streaming service [[Company:Neon (service)|Neon]], in New Zealand. Deals with some other partners including [[Company:Foxtel|Foxtel]] in Australia and Sky in New Zealand which includes a significant portion of HBO Max's original programming were agreed or renewed between 2019 and 2021.<ref name="finder-foxtel" /><ref name="stuff-sky"/>

=== Asia-Pacific ===
==== Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan ====
In June 2021, WarnerMedia appointed a managing director for the launch of HBO Max in eight territories across Southeast Asia and the exploration of the possibilities to launch HBO Max in the {{wipe|India}}n market.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Frater|first1=Patrick|title=Amit Malhotra to Lead HBO Max Rollout in Southeast Asia|url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/amit-malhotra-hbo-max-asia-1234988598/|work=Variety|access-date=2 November 2021|date=3 June 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102034027/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/amit-malhotra-hbo-max-asia-1234988598/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Warner Bros. Discovery India decided to premiere their HBO Max original programming, including their original films, on [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime Video]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|title='The Flight Attendant,' 'Peacemaker' Among HBO Max Shows Premiering on Amazon Prime Video India – Global Bulletin|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-shows-amazon-prime-video-india-1235318673/#!|website=Variety|date=July 18, 2022|access-date=August 4, 2022|archive-date=August 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804165119/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-shows-amazon-prime-video-india-1235318673/#!|url-status=live}}</ref> and on Disney+ Hotstar due to a previously established deal in 2016.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Sn |first=Vikas |title=Hotstar launches monthly subscriptions to offer US TV shows & movies |work=The Economic Times |url=http://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/hotstar-subscriptions-us-tv-shows-movies/51973979 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211203/https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/hotstar-subscriptions-us-tv-shows-movies/51973979 |archive-date=29 May 2019}}</ref>

The plans to launch HBO Max in Southeast Asia were later halted.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

==== Japan ====
In Japan, {{ill|U-Next|jp|U-NEXT}} reached a deal to carry HBO and HBO Max original programs in Japan beginning on April 1, 2021. This replaced a previous deal between HBO and [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime Video]] Japan.<ref name="Schilling">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/hbo-max-content-japan-u-next-platform-1234941502/|title=HBO Max Content to Stream on Japan's U-Next Platform|first=Mark|last=Schilling|work=Variety|date=March 31, 2021|access-date=April 5, 2021|archive-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402073026/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/hbo-max-content-japan-u-next-platform-1234941502/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Launch ==
{{image frame|align=right|content=
{{Highlighted world map by country
|US=darkviolet |PR=darkviolet |AI=darkviolet |AG=darkviolet |AR=darkviolet |AW=darkviolet |BS=darkviolet |BB=darkviolet |BZ=darkviolet |BO=darkviolet |BR=darkviolet |VG=darkviolet |KY=darkviolet |CL=darkviolet |CO=darkviolet |CR=darkviolet |CW=darkviolet |DM=darkviolet |DO=darkviolet |EC=darkviolet |SV=darkviolet |GD=darkviolet |GT=darkviolet |GY=darkviolet |HT=darkviolet |HN=darkviolet |JM=darkviolet |MX=darkviolet |MS=darkviolet |NI=darkviolet |PA=darkviolet |PY=darkviolet |PE=darkviolet |KN=darkviolet |LC=darkviolet |VC=darkviolet |SR=darkviolet |TT=darkviolet |TC=darkviolet |UY=darkviolet |VE=darkviolet |AN=darkviolet |DK=darkviolet |GL=darkviolet |FO=darkviolet |FI=darkviolet |NO=darkviolet |ES=darkviolet |SE=darkviolet |BA=darkviolet |BG=darkviolet |HR=darkviolet |CZ=darkviolet |HU=darkviolet |MD=darkviolet |ME=darkviolet |MK=darkviolet |NL=darkviolet |PL=darkviolet |PT=darkviolet |RO=darkviolet |RS=darkviolet |SK=darkviolet |SI=darkviolet |HK=#407abc |ID=#407abc |MY=#407abc |PH=#407abc |SG=#407abc |TW=#407abc |TH=#407abc |VN=#407abc |IN=dodgerblue |FR=dodgerblue |CA=dodgerblue |AU=dodgerblue |NZ=dodgerblue |JP=dodgerblue |BE=dodgerblue |AT=dodgerblue |DE=dodgerblue |IE=dodgerblue |IT=dodgerblue |CH=dodgerblue |GB=dodgerblue |CN=dodgerblue |BJ=dodgerblue |BW=dodgerblue |BF=dodgerblue |BI=dodgerblue |CM=dodgerblue |CV=dodgerblue |CF=dodgerblue |TD=dodgerblue |KM=dodgerblue |CD=dodgerblue |CG=dodgerblue |DJ=dodgerblue |GQ=dodgerblue |ER=dodgerblue |SZ=dodgerblue |ET=dodgerblue |GA=dodgerblue |GR=dodgerblue |GM=dodgerblue |GH=dodgerblue |GN=dodgerblue |GW=dodgerblue |CI=dodgerblue |KE=dodgerblue |LS=dodgerblue |LR=dodgerblue |MG=dodgerblue |MW=dodgerblue |ML=dodgerblue |MU=dodgerblue |NA=dodgerblue |NE=dodgerblue |NG=dodgerblue |RE=dodgerblue |RW=dodgerblue |SH=dodgerblue |ST=dodgerblue |SN=dodgerblue |SC=dodgerblue |ZA=dodgerblue |TZ=dodgerblue |TG=dodgerblue |UG=dodgerblue |ZM=dodgerblue |ZW=dodgerblue |KR=dodgerblue
|scale=100}}
|caption={{legend|darkviolet|Available}}{{legend|dodgerblue|Distribution deal with local partner for Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Max Originals}}{{legend|#407abc|Content currently available through HBO Go}}
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" id="launch rollout"
|+ Launch rollout timeline
! scope="col" | Release date
! scope="col" | Country/Territory
|-
! scope="row" | {{dts|2020|05|27}}<ref name=":0" />
| {{wipe|United States}}{{efn|including the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="40"| {{dts|2021|06|29}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/372942#:~:text=Los%20pa%C3%ADses%20a%20los%20que,%2C%20Honduras%2C%20Jamaica%2C%20M%C3%A9xico%2C |title=HBO Max: Cuánto costará y cuál será su catálogo |access-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603214352/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/372942#:~:text=Los%20pa%C3%ADses%20a%20los%20que,%2C%20Honduras%2C%20Jamaica%2C%20M%C3%A9xico%2C }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/entretenimiento/television/hbo-max-estara-disponible-a-partir-del-29-de-junio-en-39-paises-de-america-latina-incluido-ecuador-y-el-caribe-nota/|title=HBO Max estará disponible a partir del 29 de junio en 39 países de América Latina, incluido Ecuador, y el Caribe|date=May 27, 2021|website=El Universo|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604184001/https://www.eluniverso.com/entretenimiento/television/hbo-max-estara-disponible-a-partir-del-29-de-junio-en-39-paises-de-america-latina-incluido-ecuador-y-el-caribe-nota/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Biology:Anguilla|Anguilla]]
|-
| Antigua and Barbuda
|-
| {{wipe|Argentina}}
|-
| Aruba
|-
| The Bahamas
|-
| Barbados
|-
| Belize
|-
| Bolivia
|-
| {{wipe|Brazil}}
|-
| British Virgin Islands
|-
| [[Finance:Cayman Islands|Cayman Islands]]
|-
|Croatia
|-
| {{wipe|Chile}}
|-
| Colombia
|-
| Costa Rica
|-
| Curaçao
|-
| [[Earth:Dominica|Dominica]]
|-
| Dominican Republic
|-
| Ecuador
|-
| El Salvador
|-
| Grenada
|-
| Guatemala
|-
| Guyana
|-
| Haiti
|-
| Honduras
|-
| Jamaica
|-
| Mexico
|-
| Montserrat
|-
| Nicaragua
|-
| Panama
|-
| Paraguay
|-
| Peru
|-
| Saint Kitts and Nevis
|-
| Saint Lucia
|-
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|-
| Suriname
|-
| Trinidad and Tobago
|-
| Turks and Caicos Islands
|-
| Uruguay
|-
| Venezuela
|-
! rowspan="6" scope="row" | {{dts|2021|10|26}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/hbo-max-europe-1235009467/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-09-08|title=HBO Max to Begin European Launch In October|first=J. Clara|last=Chan|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617041640/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/hbo-max-europe-1235009467/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Religion:Andorra|Andorra]]
|-
| {{wipe|Denmark}}{{efn|including the territories of the [[Biography:Faroe Islands|Faroe Islands]] and [[Place:Greenland|Greenland]].}}
|-
| {{wipe|Finland}}{{efn|including Åland.}}
|-
| {{wipe|Norway}}{{efn|including the territories of [[Place:Svalbard|Svalbard]] and Jan Mayen.}}
|-
| {{wipe|Spain}}
|-
| Sweden
|-
! rowspan="16" scope="row" |  March 8, 2022<ref name="Europe">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-europe-launch-second-wave-1235167468/|title=HBO Max Prepares to Launch in 15 More Countries in Europe|last=Ravindran|first=Manori|website=Variety|date=1 February 2022|access-date=1 February 2022|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201083538/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/hbo-max-europe-launch-second-wave-1235167468/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Bosnia and Herzegovina
|-
| Bulgaria
|-
| Croatia
|-
| [[Place:Czech Republic|Czech Republic]]
|-
| Hungary
|-
| Moldova
|-
| Montenegro
|-
| Netherlands
|-
| North Macedonia
|-
| {{wipe|Poland}}
|-
| Portugal
|-
| Romania
|-
| Serbia
|-
| Slovakia
|-
| Slovenia
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" id="local partners"
|+ Current distribution partners for Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Max Originals
! scope="col" | Country/Territory
! scope="col" | Partner (main services)
! scope="col" | Expiry
! scope="col" | {{abbr|Refs.|References}}
|-
! scope="row" | {{wipe|Australia}}
| [[Company:Foxtel|Foxtel]] (Fox Showcase / [[Software:Binge (streaming service)|Binge]])
| rowspan="3" {{N/A|Unknown}}
| <ref name="finder-foxtel" />
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Belgium
| BeTV
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2018/02/19/proximus-secures-hbo-shows-with-be-tv-deal/|title=Proximus secures HBO shows with Be TV deal|publisher=digitaltveurope.com|date=19 February 2018|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
| Telenet (Streamz / Yelo TV) 
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moviepulp.be/356905/streamz-lanceert-op-14-september-2020-in-belgie-vervangt-telenet-play.html|title=Streamz lanceert op 14 September 2020 in België, vervangt Telenet Play, voegt VRT NU toe|date=September 3, 2020|access-date=September 26, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920222331/https://www.moviepulp.be/356905/streamz-lanceert-op-14-september-2020-in-belgie-vervangt-telenet-play.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | {{wipe|Canada}}
| Bell Media (HBO Canada / Crave){{efn|Bell's partnership covers Canadian rights to Warner Bros.-produced scripted live-action Max Original series and certain films. Selected programs have been licensed separately to other Canadian broadcasters, including most animated programs to Corus Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Upfront – Kids|url=https://www.corusent.com/brands/2020-upfront-kids/|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=Corus Entertainment|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916185917/https://www.corusent.com/brands/2020-upfront-kids/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| 2024
| <ref name="cp-crave" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cartt.ca/analysis-why-the-end-is-near-narrative-is-wrong/|first=Greg|last=O'Brien|title=ANALYSIS: Why the "end is near" narrative is wrong|work=Cartt|date=May 21, 2021|access-date=September 15, 2021|quote=(the 2019 extension [covering HBO Max programming which launched in 2020] is a five-year deal, we were told)|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918103204/https://cartt.ca/analysis-why-the-end-is-near-narrative-is-wrong/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | {{wipe|China}}
| [[Tencent Video]]
| {{N/A|Unknown}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/ipg-media-lab/tencent-scores-exclusive-deal-to-stream-hbo-content-in-china-681f3e5003c1|title=Tencent Scores Exclusive Deal To Stream HBO Content In China|publisher=medium.com|date=26 November 2014|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/john-oliver-hbo-china-game-of-thrones-website-1202859077/|title= HBO’s Website Remains Blocked in China, but Its Shows Aren’t|publisher=variety.com|date=27 June 2018|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | {{wipe|France}}
| Canal+ 
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.numerama.com/pop-culture/737670-hbo-max-arrive-en-europe-mais-pas-en-france.html|title=HBO Max arrive en Europe, mais pas en France|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=September 26, 2021|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926160848/https://www.numerama.com/pop-culture/737670-hbo-max-arrive-en-europe-mais-pas-en-france.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| OCS
| <ref name="france"/>
|-
| [[Company:Salto (streaming service)|Salto]]
| 2023<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://senalnews.com/en/digital/french-streaming-platform-salto-to-finally-shut-down|title=French streaming platform Salto to finally shut down|date=17 February 2023|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/salto-france-televisions-tf1-salto-1235491579/|title=French Streamer Salto Likely to Shut Down as Shareholders Weigh In on Dissolution|publisher=variety.com|date=17 January 2023|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime Video]]
| 2024
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/hbo-amazon-warner-bros-discovery-1235487110/|title= Warner Bros. Discovery Bows ‘Warner Pass’ Offer on Amazon Prime Video Channels in France|publisher=variety.com|date=12 January 2023|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| {{wipe|Germany}}<br />Austria<br />{{wipe|Switzerland}}
| Sky Deutschland
| 2025
| <ref name="Sky"/>
|-
| [[RTL+]]
| 2026
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/rtl-deutschland-warner-bros-hbo-max-1235183392/|title=Warner Bros. Entertainment, RTL Deutschland Set Extensive Content Deal|publisher=variety.com|date=16 February 2022|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | Greece
| Vodafone Greece
| rowspan="3" {{N/A|Unknown}}
| <ref name="Greece"/>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | {{wipe|India}}
| [[Software:Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime Video]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Lata |date=2022-07-18 |title=Amazon Prime Video to premiere HBO Max originals in India |url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/amazon-prime-video-to-premiere-hbo-max-originals-in-india-11658127233853.html |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Live Mint |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010142343/https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/amazon-prime-video-to-premiere-hbo-max-originals-in-india-11658127233853.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Disney+ Hotstar  
| <ref name=":3" />
|-
! scope="row" | Italy
| Sky Italia
| 2025
| <ref name="Sky"/>
|-
! scope="row" | {{wipe|Japan}}
| U-Next
| rowspan="7" {{N/A|Unknown}}
| <ref name="Schilling"/>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Finance:MENA|Middle East<br/>North Africa]]
| OSN
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2022/01/13/osn-extends-licensing-agreement-as-mena-home-of-hbo/|title=OSN extends licensing agreement as MENA home of HBO|publisher=digitaltveurope.com|date=13 January 2022|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Earth:New Zealand|New Zealand]]
| Sky (SoHo / [[Company:Neon (service)|Neon]])
| <ref name="stuff-sky">{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/126201902/hbo-max-shows-heading-to-sky-tv-after-it-extends-and-expands-warner-deal|title=HBO Max shows heading to Sky TV after it extends and expands Warner deal|first=Tom|last=Pullar-Strecker|work=Stuff|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911141054/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/126201902/hbo-max-shows-heading-to-sky-tv-after-it-extends-and-expands-warner-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | {{wipe|South Korea}}
| [[Company:SK Telecom|SK Telecom]] (Wavve)
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065600019312839|title=wavve extends contract with HBO with new additional series of HBO Max|website=K-Odyssey|date=28 July 2022|access-date=10 September 2022|archive-date=September 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910081407/https://m.k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065600019312839|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Place:Sub-Saharan Africa|Sub-Saharan Africa]]
| Showmax
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://theplumlist.com/the-best-hbo-shows-to-stream-in-south-africa/|title=The best HBO shows to stream in South Africa|website=The Plumlist|date=August 6, 2021|access-date=September 26, 2021|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926160845/https://theplumlist.com/the-best-hbo-shows-to-stream-in-south-africa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | [[Place:Turkey|Turkey]]
| Digiturk (beIN connect)
| <ref name="Turkey"/>
|-
| Doğan Holding (BluTV)
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pikselog.com/resmi-aciklamaya-gore-hbo-max-turkiye-pazarina-blutv-ile-girebilir/|title=Resmi açıklamaya göre HBO Max, Türkiye pazarına BluTV ile girebilir|publisher=pikselog.com|language=tr|access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | {{wipe|United Kingdom}}<br>Ireland
| Sky UK{{efn|Except three Warner Bros. owned Max originals ''Gossip Girl'', ''The Sex Lives of College Girls'' and ''Close Enough'', which are licensed to BBC, ITV2 and [[Company:Netflix|Netflix]]. Most Max originals not owned by Warner Bros. are licensed separately to other UK broadcasters and platforms.}}
| 2025
| <ref name="Sky">{{Cite web|date=2019-10-29|title=Exclusive: Sky strikes five-year HBO output deal, preps HBO Max co-productions|url=https://tbivision.com/2019/10/29/exclusive-sky-strikes-five-year-hbo-output-deal-preps-hbo-max-co-productions/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=TBI Vision|language=en-US|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928163832/https://tbivision.com/2019/10/29/exclusive-sky-strikes-five-year-hbo-output-deal-preps-hbo-max-co-productions/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==Reception==
HBO Max received mixed reception from media observers on launch. The range of available content was generally well received, but many commented on the likelihood of confusion with HBO's other since-deprecated streaming platforms, HBO Go and HBO Now, and the service's higher subscription price compared to other newly launched streaming platforms like [[Software:Disney+|Disney+]].<ref name="variety-hbo-confusion" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/26/21268490/hbo-max-launch-price-warnermedia-att-dc-harry-potter-friends-disney-netflix-peacock|title=HBO Max is full of potential, but its biggest hurdle remains AT&T's messy execution|first=Julia|last=Alexander|work=[[The Verge]]|date=May 26, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911170743/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/26/21268490/hbo-max-launch-price-warnermedia-att-dc-harry-potter-friends-disney-netflix-peacock|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hbo-max-is-here-what-you-need-to-know-11590580677|title=HBO Max Is Here: What You Need to Know|first=John|last=Jurgensen|work={{wipe|The Wall Street Journal}}|date=May 27, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820234622/https://www.wsj.com/articles/hbo-max-is-here-what-you-need-to-know-11590580677|url-status=live}}</ref> Television critics also expressed frustration that the library of original series (not including its former late night adult content) for sister network Cinemax was not originally available on HBO Max, though much of its output had arrived on the service by the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/hbo-max-should-add-cinemax-shows-banshee-the-knick-strike-back/|title=A Plea for HBO Max to Add Banshee and More Great Cinemax Originals to Its Streaming Library|last=Thomas|first=Kaitlin|date=October 2, 2020|publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112004213/https://www.tvguide.com/news/hbo-max-should-add-cinemax-shows-banshee-the-knick-strike-back/|url-status=live}}</ref>

AT&T announced in July 2020 that HBO Max had nominally achieved 26.6&nbsp;million subscribers after its first month of operation, including 23.6&nbsp;million wholesale customers, primarily legacy HBO pay TV subscribers that were covered by new agreements that added access to HBO Max at no extra charge.<ref name="vty-first-subs">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/vip/hbo-max-subscriber-math-demystified-1234715002/#!|title=HBO MAX SUBSCRIBER MATH DEMYSTIFIED|first=Gavin|last=Bridge|work=Variety Intelligence Platform|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725001440/https://variety.com/vip/hbo-max-subscriber-math-demystified-1234715002/|archive-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> However, only 4.1&nbsp;million customers had activated their HBO Max accounts by the same date.<ref name="vty-first-subs" /> The latter figure was seen by many observers as a disappointment, particularly in light of Disney+ having reached 10 million subscribers within a day of launch; ''{{wipe|The New York Times}}''<nowiki/>'s media critic Ben Smith wrote that WarnerMedia had "badly botched" the launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/business/media/hollywood-studios-firings-streaming.html|title=The Week Old Hollywood Finally, Actually Died|first=Ben|last=Smith|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|date=August 16, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909133853/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/business/media/hollywood-studios-firings-streaming.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, AT&T executives contended that it had been a "flawless launch" citing increased customer engagement compared to HBO Now and overall growth in total subscriptions to either HBO or HBO Max (36.3&nbsp;million, vs. 34.6&nbsp;million HBO or HBO Now subscribers at the end of 2019), while acknowledging that there was more to do to persuade existing HBO subscribers to start using the HBO Max apps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-subscribers-subscribers-q2-att-1234714316/|title=HBO Max and HBO Have 36.3 Million Subscribers, Up 5% From End of 2019, AT&T Says|first1=Todd|last1=Spangler|first2=Cynthia|last2=Littleton|work=Variety|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915100822/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-subscribers-subscribers-q2-att-1234714316/|url-status=live}}</ref> Executives had previously noted that HBO Max was starting from a different place than other streaming services as it was building on the existing HBO subscriber base, and had to work within the constraints of many of HBO's pre-existing deals (such as those with Amazon and Roku).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/23/21334541/hbo-max-subscribers-att-earnings-amazon-roku-warnermedia|title=HBO Max has more than 4 million subscribers, AT&T says|first=Julia|last=Alexander|work=[[The Verge]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916154609/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/23/21334541/hbo-max-subscribers-att-earnings-amazon-roku-warnermedia|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2020, AT&T revealed that the number of activated HBO Max subscribers had reached 8.6&nbsp;million by the end of September, while the number of nominal (eligible) subscribers reached 28.7&nbsp;million. The total number of HBO / HBO Max subscriptions in the U.S. also increased to 28 million.<ref name="vty-subs-q3-2020">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-28-million-subscribers-q3-att-earnings-1234813032/|title=HBO Max Hits 28.7 Million Subscribers in Q3, Warner Bros. Revenue Down 28%|first=Todd|last=Spangler|work=Variety|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022122229/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/hbo-max-28-million-subscribers-q3-att-earnings-1234813032/|url-status=live}}</ref> With an agreement being reached the following month with Amazon (which is reported to have had 5 million HBO subscribers through Prime Video Channels), the number of HBO Max-eligible subscribers is understood to have increased to over 33&nbsp;million.<ref name="vty-amazon-deal" /> In September 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery was sued by a shareholder, alleging that WarnerMedia had overstated the number of HBO Max subscribers by including unactivated subscriptions bundled with AT&T services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-28 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery faces suit alleging inflated HBO Max numbers |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-09-28/warner-bros-discovery-shareholder-lawsuit-hbo-subscribers |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929155042/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-09-28/warner-bros-discovery-shareholder-lawsuit-hbo-subscribers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery Inflated HBO Max Subscribers, Lawsuit Claims |url=https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-discovery-hbo-max-subscribers-class-action-lawsuit/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929155044/https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-discovery-hbo-max-subscribers-class-action-lawsuit/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Company:Joyn (streaming platform)|Joyn]]
* List of streaming media services

==Footnotes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:HBO Max}}
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 software]]

{{Sourceattribution|HBO Max|1}}