Discover the merger of HBO Max and Discovery+ into the new streaming service "Max." Learn about the implications for Norwegian viewers, subscription options, and the future of Max. Stay informed with GadgetsLand.
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HBO Max and Discovery+ have made headlines with their announcement to merge into a new streaming service, and now we have all the details. The new service will simply be called "Max," and it is set to launch in the USA on May 23rd. While the plans for the Norwegian market are still uncertain, Warner Bros. Discovery has stated that the new streaming service will be launched in Europe in 2024.
The Implications for Norwegian Viewers
If the merger becomes a reality in Norway, users will gain access to blockbuster series such as "The Last of Us" and "Succession" from HBO Max, as well as popular Norwegian reality shows like "Ex on the Beach" and "Grenseløst Forelsket" from Discovery+. This combination of content will be available on a single streaming platform, providing a seamless entertainment experience.
However, the picture in Norway is complicated by Discovery's ownership of sports rights, including tennis, golf, cycling, and the highly anticipated 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The integration of sports content from Discovery+ into the new streaming service remains uncertain.
Subscription Options and Pricing
In the USA, the new Max streaming service will offer three subscription tiers. The current price of $16 per month will remain for the base tier, but customers will have the option to pay extra for 4K quality and Dolby Atmos, features that are currently included in HBO Max. The new subscription levels are as follows:
| Subscription Tier | Price (per month) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Base Tier | $16 | Includes HBO Max and Discovery+ content |
| 4K Tier | Additional cost | Offers 4K quality and Dolby Atmos |
| Discovery+ Only | $5-7 | Provides access to Discovery content only |
In Norway, Discovery+ currently offers subscription plans ranging from 49 to 179 kroner per month, depending on the level of content access and the presence of ads. HBO Max in Norway provides ad-free content and access to all titles for 89 kroner per month or 699 kroner for an annual subscription.
It is worth noting that some Norwegian users took advantage of a promotional offer during the transition from HBO Nordic to HBO Max, which promised a lifetime half-price subscription. The status of this offer is yet to be determined as HBO Max evolves into Max in 2024.
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The Future of Max: New Content and Business Models
Rumors have already circulated online about a new Harry Potter series, and Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed the merger, fueling further excitement among fans. Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO, David Zaslav, revealed that the enhanced streaming service will offer both ad-free and more affordable, ad-supported subscription options. Furthermore, he hinted at the possibility of introducing a fully ad-supported model.
The merger is expected to take place in the USA by the end of 2023 and in other markets, including Europe, by 2024. Warner Bros. Discovery has expressed its intention to create a bundled solution for HBO Max and Discovery+, potentially allowing shared login and integration of content between the two services. However, challenges may arise in Norway due to Discovery+'s exclusive sports rights, such as the Eliteserien football league.
Warner Bros. Discovery reported a loss of 3.42 billion dollars in its first quarter following the merger, prompting cost-saving measures, including workforce reductions, to save three billion dollars. The company also recently scrapped two almost completed films, including "Batgirl," which reportedly cost nearly one billion kroner to produce. Zaslav emphasized the importance of theatrical releases for major films, indicating that Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to prioritize cinema distribution.
The Evolution of Discovery+
Discovery+ is an American subscription video on-demand streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It features factual programming from Discovery's main channel brands, original series, and acquired content. Following the merger with WarnerMedia, HBO Max was rebranded as Max and incorporated Discovery+ content into its library. Despite initial plans to discontinue Discovery+, the service remained profitable and continues to be offered alongside Max.
Discovery+ was first launched in India in March 2020 and expanded internationally in early 2021. In the US, it offers both ad-supported and ad-free plans. The service has now become a part of the comprehensive streaming powerhouse that is Max.
Looking ahead, the merged service will bring together the best of HBO Max and Discovery+, offering a wide range of premium series, documentaries, and reality shows to viewers worldwide. With its diverse content offerings and competitive pricing options, Max aims to capture the attention of streaming enthusiasts and establish itself as a leading player in the ever-growing streaming market.
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Discovery+ (pronounced "Discovery Plus"; stylized as discovery+) is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The service focuses on factual programming drawn from the libraries of Discovery's main channel brands, as well as original series (including spin-offs of programs from Discovery's television networks), and other acquired content.
Discovery+ became a sister service to WarnerMedia's HBO Max following their merger in April 2022. HBO Max was relaunched as Max the following year, adding Discovery content to its library. While WBD originally planned to discontinue Discovery+ in favor of Max, the company elected to continue offering Discovery+ because it was still profitable.
Discovery first launched Discovery+ in India on March 23, 2020, and included content from Discovery's various brands. In September of the same year, Discovery announced plans to launch an international version of Discovery+ in early 2021.
On January 4, 2021, Discovery+ launched in the U.S. with both a paid ad-supported plan and an ad-free plan. On January 5, 2021, Discovery+ launched in eight European territories, subsuming Dplay and the Eurosport Player services.
In an earnings call on November 3, 2021, president and CEO of Discovery Streaming and International JB Perrette discussed potential options for the service following the then-proposed spin-off and merger of WarnerMedia into Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery. These involved a bundling and/or eventual merger of Discovery+ with WarnerMedia's streaming service HBO Max, and offering such a merged service in markets where Discovery+ has yet to launch, such as other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
In August 2022, Perrette announced that a merged service would launch in the United States "next summer", if not sooner, followed by Latin America in late-2023, HBO Max's European markets in early-2024, and additional Asia-Pacific and European markets. Perrette stated that HBO Max and Discovery+ had complimentary scopes targeting "appointment viewing" and "comfort viewing" respectively, and thus described the unified service as being "an unprecedented combination in an already crowded market."
In February 2023, Zaslav stated during an earnings call that WBD no longer planned to shut down Discovery+ in favor of the merged service, due to its profitability and low churn. He explained that its customers were "very happy with the product offering" and asked, "why would we shut that off?". The Wall Street Journal had reported earlier in the month that WBD had planned to continue operating Discovery+ in conjunction with the new service, which was expected to have a higher price than HBO Max, and would feature "most", but not all, of the content of Discovery+.
Max was officially unveiled on April 12, 2023, for a U.S. launch on May 23. In contrast to WBD's plans to keep Discovery+ operational in at least the United States, Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific announced in March 2023 that Discovery+ would be discontinued in the Philippines on April 27, 2023, in favor of the local HBO Go service; WBD had announced an Asia-Pacific launch for Max in fall 2024.
