Max has officially changed its name back to HBO Max, but here’s what you need to know about your app, pricing, and shows going forward.
Max is once again HBO Max—and no, you don’t need to adjust your streaming settings.
As of July 9, 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery has officially rebranded its streaming platform, reverting the service back to its original name, HBO Max. This marks the second major name shift in just five years for the streamer, which initially launched as HBO Max in 2020 before being simplified to just “Max” in 2023 following the Warner Media and Discovery Networks merger.
Now, with that corporate union unraveling, the platform is leaning back into its premium legacy by reinstating the iconic HBO branding. The move comes just over two years after the original name change stirred confusion, memes, and frustration from users and industry watchers alike.
But what does this mean for subscribers? Surprisingly, not much.
According to Warner Bros. Discovery, the change is largely cosmetic. The platform’s content, user profiles, watch history, and preferences remain untouched. Even the app itself won’t need to be redownloaded—unlike in 2023, when users had to install a new app during the first rebranding. This time, the update is automatic, though you may have noticed the app’s colors have already shifted from purple back to HBO’s signature black-and-white aesthetic.
Pricing tiers will also remain the same for now:
Basic with Ads: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Standard: $16.99/month or $169.99/year
Premium: $20.99/month or $209.99/year
And while some titles—especially from Discovery-owned channels like TLC and Food Network—have quietly exited in recent months, that’s not directly tied to the name change. The platform has not announced any content removals or paused releases, meaning anticipated shows like the new Harry Potter series are still on track.
As for the reason behind the rebrand, executives are pointing to a strategic shift. The return to HBO Max signals a renewed focus on quality over quantity. “No consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers today say they want better content,” said WBD’s head of streaming JB Perrette.
HBO and Max content CEO Casey Bloys echoed that sentiment, stating, “My team is well aware of what the HBO brand means to the industry and our consumers. We want to elevate the name again.”
This brand revival may not change what viewers watch, but it’s certainly reigniting conversations online. From jokes about corporate indecision to nostalgic posts about HBO’s classic hits, the internet is buzzing once again about the streamer that can’t seem to settle on a name—but always knows how to dominate the cultural conversation.
