History of HBO Max in Timeline

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HBO Max

HBO Max is a subscription-based video on-demand streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in May 2020, it provides access to a wide array of content from Warner Bros., HBO, Discovery Channel, CNN, and other related brands. It stands as the fourth most subscribed streaming service globally, boasting 128 million paid memberships.

1969: Select Episodes from All Fifty Seasons of Sesame Street (dating back to 1969) Available to Stream on HBO Max

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.

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1993: Sky Movies renamed HBO in New Zealand

Sky Movies in New Zealand, originally a joint venture between HBO and Sky Network Television, was renamed HBO in 1993.

1998: Time Warner sells stake in Sky Movies

In 1998, Time Warner sold its share in Sky Movies in New Zealand to Sky, and the channel was renamed back to Sky Movies.

February 9, 2012: Launch of HBO Netherlands

On February 9, 2012, HBO Netherlands was launched as a joint venture between HBO and Dutch cable operator Ziggo, offering a three-channel multiplex service and a localized version of HBO Go to subscribers across various Dutch cable operators.

August 15, 2012: HBO Announces Plans to Launch HBO Nordic

On August 15, 2012, HBO announced plans to launch HBO Nordic, a multiplatform video distribution service serving Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, through a joint venture with Parsifal International.

2012: Fox Showcase begins airing HBO programming

In 2012, Fox Showcase, an Australian premium television service, began airing HBO original programming through a licensed distribution arrangement with subscription television provider Foxtel.

September 28, 2016: HBO Netherlands Announces Closure

On September 28, 2016, HBO Netherlands announced that it would cease operations on December 31, 2016. Ziggo simultaneously announced its acquisition of exclusive rights to HBO programming.

November 1, 2016: Ziggo Announces HBO Programming Offering

On November 1, 2016, Ziggo announced that it would offer HBO programming exclusively as part of their new Movies & Series service, starting from January 2017.

December 31, 2016: HBO Netherlands Ceases Operations

On December 31, 2016, HBO Netherlands officially ceased operations after its initial launch in 2012.

January 2017: Ziggo Starts Offering HBO Programming Exclusively

Starting in January 2017, Ziggo began offering HBO programming exclusively as part of their new Movies & Series service.

October 10, 2018: WarnerMedia Announces Streaming Service

On October 10, 2018, WarnerMedia announced plans to launch an over-the-top streaming service in late 2019, featuring content from its various entertainment brands.

May 2019: Otter Media Takes Over Streaming Service

In May 2019, Otter Media was transferred to WarnerMedia Entertainment from Warner Bros. to take over the streaming service development. Andy Forssell replaced Brad Bentley as executive vice president and general manager, reporting to Otter CEO Tony Goncalves.

May 2019: HBO Brand to be used for Streaming Service

In mid-May 2019, AT&T indicated the new streaming service would use the HBO brand and tie into cable operators to provide access to HBO cable subscribers.

July 9, 2019: Service Named HBO Max

On July 9, 2019, WarnerMedia announced that the streaming service would be known as "HBO Max" and launch in spring 2020. Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and Greg Berlanti were also signed to production deals for the service.

September 17, 2019: HBO Max Acquires U.S. Streaming Rights to The Big Bang Theory

On September 17, 2019, HBO Max 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.

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October 29, 2019: Official Launch Date Announced

On October 29, 2019, it was officially announced that HBO Max would launch in May 2020, setting the stage for the platform's debut.

2019: HBO/HBO Now subscribers at the end of 2019

At the end of 2019, HBO or HBO Now subscribers were at 34.6 million.

January 8, 2020: Audience Channel Transition Announced

On January 8, 2020, AT&T announced that Audience, a channel exclusive to AT&T television subscribers, would be sunset on May 22 and transition to a barker channel for HBO Max.

February 5, 2020: Warner Max Film Label Announced

On February 5, 2020, Warner Bros. and HBO Max announced the Warner Max film label, which would produce eight to ten mid-budget movies per year for the streaming service starting in 2020.

February 20, 2020: WarnerMedia Announces Distribution Deal with YouTube TV

On February 20, 2020, WarnerMedia announced a distribution deal with YouTube TV, allowing members to add HBO and Cinemax, and include HBO Max as an add-on.

April 15, 2020: WarnerMedia Announces Deal with Charter Spectrum

On April 15, 2020, WarnerMedia announced a distribution agreement with Charter Spectrum to provide HBO subscribers access to HBO Max through their TV Everywhere credentials.

April 20, 2020: HBO Max Launch Date Announced

On April 20, 2020, WarnerMedia officially announced that HBO Max would launch on May 27, solidifying the timeline for the streaming service's debut.

May 13, 2020: AT&T CEO Reveals Unlikely Amazon Partnership

On May 13, 2020, AT&T CEO John Stankey indicated that Amazon was unlikely to be a launch partner for HBO Max due to disagreements about hosting Max programming on Amazon Prime Video Channels.

May 2020: HBO Max Launch Date

In May 2020, the official launch date for HBO Max was confirmed, marking a significant milestone in the development of the streaming service.

May 20, 2020: WarnerMedia Announces Distribution Deals with Multiple Providers

On May 20, 2020, WarnerMedia announced distribution deals with Altice USA, Cox Communications, Xbox, Samsung, PlayStation, Verizon Communications, and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC).

May 27, 2020: HBO Max Launched

On May 27, 2020, HBO Max, an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, was launched in the United States. The platform offers content from Warner Bros. Entertainment, Discovery Channel, HBO, CNN, Cartoon Network, and other related brands.

June 9, 2020: Gone with the Wind Temporarily Removed from HBO Max

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 Los Angeles Times by 12 Years a Slave screenwriter John Ridley.

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June 27, 2020: Harley Quinn Streams on HBO Max

On June 27, 2020, it was revealed that DC Universe original Harley Quinn would stream its first two seasons on HBO Max.

June 29, 2020: HBO Max Secures Exclusive Streaming Rights of David Makes Man

On June 29, 2020, HBO Max secured the exclusive streaming rights of the Oprah Winfrey Network series David Makes Man.

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July 2020: HBO Max Subscriber Numbers Announced

In July 2020, AT&T announced that HBO Max had nominally achieved 26.6 million subscribers after its first month, including 23.6 million wholesale customers. However, only 4.1 million customers had activated their HBO Max accounts by the same date.

July 2020: Katy Keene Cancelled

In July 2020, Katy Keene, a Warner Bros.-produced television series that premiered on The CW, was cancelled.

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August 7, 2020: WarnerMedia Announces Restructuring

On August 7, 2020, WarnerMedia announced a significant restructuring under new president Jason Kilar, focusing on direct-to-consumer services. As a result, Greenblatt and Reilly left the company. WarnerMedia Entertainment was dissolved, with programming operations combined with Warner Bros. in a new Studios and Networks group under Ann Sarnoff. Bloys gained programming oversight of HBO and HBO Max, and Forssell became the head of a new HBO Max operating business unit.

September 18, 2020: DC Universe Content Migrates to HBO Max

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 would have their newest seasons air exclusively on the service.

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October 2020: HBO Max subscriber numbers revealed

In October 2020, AT&T announced that HBO Max had 8.6 million activated subscribers by the end of September and 28.7 million nominal subscribers. HBO/HBO Max subscriptions in the U.S. increased to 28 million. After reaching an agreement with Amazon in October 2020, HBO Max-eligible subscribers were expected to exceed 33 million.

October 28, 2020: Tiny Toon Adventures Reboot Announced for Cartoon Network and HBO Max

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, with Steven Spielberg returning as executive producer. The show received a two-season order.

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November 16, 2020: WarnerMedia and Amazon Reach Agreement

On November 16, 2020, WarnerMedia and Amazon reached an agreement to make HBO Max available on Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices, allowing HBO subscribers via Prime Video Channels access to the HBO Max app at no extra cost.

December 2020: HBO Max Head Announces Replacement of European HBO Services

In December 2020, the head of HBO Max, Andy Forssell, revealed that all HBO services in Europe, including HBO España and HBO Nordic, would be replaced by HBO Max.

December 16, 2020: WarnerMedia and Roku Reach Agreement

On December 16, 2020, WarnerMedia and Roku reached an agreement to make HBO Max available on Roku devices, granting HBO subscribers via Roku Channels access to the HBO Max app at no extra cost.

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2020: Streaming Service Launch Planned

In 2020, the plan was to fully launch the new streaming service in the first quarter, following a beta launch expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.

February 2021: Cartoonito to Launch in the US via Cartoon Network and HBO Max

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.

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March 12, 2021: AT&T Announces Ad-Supported HBO Max Tier

On March 12, 2021, during their Investor Day event, AT&T announced that HBO Max would introduce an ad-supported tier launching in June of the same year.

April 1, 2021: U-Next Carries HBO and HBO Max Originals in Japan

On April 1, 2021, U-Next reached a deal to carry HBO and HBO Max original programs in Japan, replacing a previous deal between HBO and Amazon Prime Video Japan.

April 23, 2021: Adult Swim and HBO Max Animation Teams Merge

On April 23, 2021, Adult Swim and HBO Max's adult animation development teams merged under the leadership of Suzanna Makkos.

June 2021: HBO Max explores Indian market launch

In June 2021, HBO Max began exploring the possibilities of launching in the Indian market.

June 2021: HBO Max Orders Pilot for Ke Nui Road

In June 2021, HBO Max ordered a pilot from John Wells and Matt Kester for Ke Nui Road, an action drama following a team of lifeguards in Hawaii.

June 2021: WarnerMedia Appoints Managing Director for Southeast Asia

In June 2021, WarnerMedia appointed a managing director to oversee the launch of HBO Max in eight territories across Southeast Asia.

June 29, 2021: HBO Max Launches in Latin America and the Caribbean

On June 29, 2021, localized versions of HBO Max were launched in Latin America and the Caribbean.

June 30, 2021: HBO and HBO Max Subscriber Count

On June 30, 2021, AT&T reported that HBO and HBO Max had a combined total of 69.4 million paying subscribers globally. This included 43.5 million HBO Max subscribers in the U.S., 3.5 million HBO-only U.S. subscribers, and 20.5 million subscribers to either HBO Max or HBO in other countries.

July 29, 2021: WarnerMedia and Dish Resolve Dispute

On July 29, 2021, WarnerMedia and Dish announced an agreement to resolve their dispute, restoring HBO to Dish's satellite service and offering HBO subscribers access to HBO Max at no extra cost.

August 2021: Funimation Purchases Crunchyroll

In August 2021, Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony, purchased Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion, with the intent to create a combined service for anime entertainment.

September 2021: Expiration of Ziggo's HBO Programming Rights Reported

In September 2021, it was reported that Ziggo's rights to HBO programming were set to expire at the end of the year. Ziggo confirmed that its HBO programming rights would expire on January 1, 2022, due to the planned launch of HBO Max in The Netherlands in 2022.

October 2021: Vera Peltekian appointed VP for France

In October 2021, Vera Peltekian, a former Canal+ executive, was appointed as VP and commissioning editor of original HBO Max programming for France.

October 2021: HBO Max Expansion Plans Halted in Certain Regions

In October 2021, plans to launch HBO Max in Turkey, Greece, and the Baltic states, where HBO Go was not available, were announced but subsequently halted. Rights for various HBO and Max programming were instead given to Vodafone TV in Greece, TV operators in Turkey including Digiturk, and Go3 and Telia in the Baltic states.

October 26, 2021: HBO Max Launches in Andorra, Spain and the Nordics

On October 26, 2021, HBO Max was launched in Andorra, Spain and the Nordics (excluding Iceland), partially by converting existing HBO streaming services in those markets to HBO Max.

2021: Cinemax Content Arrives on HBO Max

By the end of 2021, much of sister network Cinemax's output, including original series, had arrived on HBO Max.

2021: Deals renewed in Australia and New Zealand

Deals with partners including Foxtel in Australia and Sky in New Zealand, which included a significant portion of HBO Max's original programming, were agreed to or renewed between 2019 and 2021.

2021: HBO Max Expanded Internationally

In 2021, the HBO Max service began to expand into international markets, building on its initial launch in the United States.

January 1, 2022: HBO Max Removes Crunchyroll Hub

On January 1, 2022, HBO Max removed the Crunchyroll hub, redirecting subscribers to a "global animation" page. The service has since begun removing anime from Crunchyroll's lineup.

February 1, 2022: HBO Max Launch Date Announced for The Netherlands

On February 1, 2022, the official launch date for HBO Max in The Netherlands was announced for March 8, 2022.

March 8, 2022: WarnerMedia and Sesame Workshop Announce New Shows for Cartoon Network and HBO Max

On March 8, 2022, WarnerMedia and Sesame Workshop announced they would 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.

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March 14, 2022: Discovery Merger Approved

On March 14, 2022, after Discovery shareholders approved its merger with WarnerMedia, Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels announced plans to merge HBO Max with Discovery+. The process would begin with a bundle of the two services as a short-term option, leading to a single platform.

April 2022: WarnerMedia Merger with Discovery, Inc.

In April 2022, WarnerMedia merged with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). HBO Max became one of the combined company's flagship streaming services, alongside Discovery+.

April 2022: Warner Bros. Discovery Halts HBO Max International Expansion

In April 2022, following the merger of WarnerMedia with Discovery, Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery decided to halt the international expansion of HBO Max, planning to replace it with Max and license content to other international distributors.

July 2022: HBO Max Ceases Original Series Development

In July 2022, HBO Max ceased new original series development in Central Europe, Nordic Europe, the Netherlands, and Turkey, and removed selected international series from the platform, as part of cost-cutting measures following the merger of Discovery, Inc. with WarnerMedia. Development of live-action children's and family programming was also abandoned.

August 3, 2022: Max Original Films and HBO Series Removed

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. This was followed by the cancellation of nearly complete Max Original films Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. WBD CEO David Zaslav announced that the company would cut children's programming and emphasize theatrical films over direct-to-streaming releases.

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August 15, 2022: HBO Reorganized by Warner Bros. Discovery Resulting in Layoffs

On August 15, 2022, HBO was reorganized by Warner Bros. Discovery, leading to layoffs within HBO Max's non-scripted originals, live-action family originals, international originals, and casting units. Makkos began reporting to HBO's head of comedy, Amy Gravitt.

August 2022: Merger of Discovery+ and HBO Max

During an earnings call in August 2022, WBD announced that Discovery+ and HBO Max would merge "next Summer", with the launch in the United States first, followed by other markets beginning in late-2023.

August 24, 2022: House Party and Evil Dead Rise Shifted to Theatrical Release

On August 24, 2022, the HBO Max original films House Party and Evil Dead Rise were shifted to theatrical releases. These changes followed the removal of various programs from the streaming service, including animated and unscripted series, and backlash from fans and critics.

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September 2022: Warner Bros. Discovery sued over HBO Max subscriber count

In September 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery was sued by a shareholder alleging WarnerMedia overstated HBO Max subscribers by including unactivated subscriptions bundled with AT&T services.

October 2022: Amazon Prime Video Deal for HBO Max programs in France

In October 2022, Amazon Prime Video signed a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to distribute Warner Bros.-owned HBO Max programs in France.

November 2022: Merged Service Launch Target Announced

During its third-quarter earnings report in November 2022, WBD stated that the merged streaming service was targeting a "Spring 2023" launch in the U.S., ahead of the original schedule. The possibility of a price increase for the ad-free tier was also discussed.

December 2022: Potential Names Considered for Merged Service

In early-December 2022, it was reported that multiple names were being considered for the merged streaming service, including simply "Max".

2022: HBO and HBO Max Global Subscribers

At the end of Q1 2022, HBO and HBO Max had 76.8 million global subscribers, marking a period of growth for the streaming services.

January 12, 2023: Price Hike Announced for Ad-Free Tier

On January 12, 2023, a price hike for the ad-free tier of HBO Max in the U.S. was announced, raising the monthly price by $1 to $15.99, effective immediately for new subscribers. The yearly plan remained unaffected.

January 2023: Amazon Prime Video Extends HBO Deal

In January 2023, Amazon Prime Video's deal with Warner Bros. Discovery was extended to include all HBO productions and Warner Bros. Discovery's linear TV channels, following the expiration of deals with OCS and Canal+ respectively.

February 11, 2023: Price Hike Effective for Existing Subscribers

On February 11, 2023, the price hike for the ad-free tier of HBO Max became effective for existing subscribers, marking the implementation of the previously announced price increase.

February 2023: Foxtel and Warner Bros. Discovery renew partnership

In February 2023, Foxtel and Warner Bros. Discovery renewed their partnership, ensuring HBO and Warner Bros. content would remain available across Foxtel's pay-TV channels, Foxtel Now, and Binge streaming services.

February 2023: Announcement Date and Strategy for New Service

In February 2023, WBD announced they would officially unveil the merged streaming service on April 12. They also confirmed that Discovery+ would continue to operate alongside the new service, highlighting its profitability and subscriber satisfaction.

March 2023: OSN and HBO multi-year licensing deal renewed

In March 2023, OSN and HBO renewed an exclusive, multi-year licensing deal, meaning an HBO Max launch is unlikely in the Middle East and North Africa region in the near future.

March 2023: Warner Bros. Discovery and U-Next Renewal

In March 2023, the deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and U-Next was renewed, making the streaming service the home of HBO content in Japan in a "multi-year" deal.

March 16, 2023: Launch of Le Pass Warner on Amazon Prime Video

On March 16, 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery launched "Le Pass Warner" ("The Warner Pass"), a subscription-based channel on Amazon Prime Video, providing access to HBO content. Selected programs like The Last of Us, Peacemaker, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, and The Sex Lives of College Girls were released without a subscription for a limited time.

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May 13, 2023: HBO Max Programming Migrates to JioCinema

Starting May 13, 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery India began migrating their HBO Max original programming, including original films, to Viacom18's JioCinema.

May 23, 2023: HBO Max Rebranded to Max

On May 23, 2023, HBO Max was rebranded as "Max" in the United States. The new service included a redesigned user interface and more Discovery content.

November 2023: Subscriber Losses Reported

In November 2023, it was reported that WBD had lost 2.5 million subscribers over a six-month period, resulting in a 19% drop in their shares.

December 6, 2023: Warner Bros. Discovery Acquires BluTV

On December 6, 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) fully acquired the Turkish streaming service BluTV.

2023: Max receives backlash for combining creator credits

In 2023, Max grouped film and television directors and writers under a single "creators" credit, drawing condemnation from the Directors Guild of America and Writers Guild of America West during the Hollywood labor disputes. Max announced in 2023 that they would fix the credits, acknowledging the altered credits were due to "an oversight in the technical transition" from HBO Max to Max. It would take weeks to adjust each platform. The credits were fixed beginning in late June.

2023: WBD Licensing Deals

In 2023, WBD reached licensing deals with FAST services like The Roku Channel and Tubi for over 2,000 hours of library programming, including shows previously removed from HBO Max.

2023: HBO Max launch postponed in Southeast Asia

In 2023, the planned launch of HBO Max in selected Southeast Asian countries, Hong Kong, and Taiwan was postponed until late 2024.

2023: Rollout of Unified Service Planned

In August 2022, WBD revealed that the rollout of the unified Discovery+ and HBO Max streaming service would begin in late-2023, following its launch in the United States during the summer.

2023: HBO Max launch in France delayed

The launch of HBO Max in France was initially scheduled for 2023. However, due to Warner Bros. Discovery's decision to halt the global rollout of HBO Max in favor of replacing it with Max, the launch was delayed.

2023: Max Launch in the United States

WBD unveiled Max on April 12 with a planned launch in the United States on May 23. The new service was to launch in other regions throughout 2023 and 2024.

February 27, 2024: Max Launched in Latin America and Caribbean

On February 27, 2024, the rebranded streaming service "Max" was launched in Latin America and the Caribbean, continuing the global rollout after its initial launch in the United States.

May 2024: WBD Announces Max, Disney+, and Hulu Bundle

In May 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced a partnership with Disney Streaming to offer a bundle of Max, Disney+, and Hulu in the United States.

May 21, 2024: Max Launched in Europe

On May 21, 2024, the rebranded streaming service "Max" was launched in Europe, expanding its reach following launches in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

June 11, 2024: Max Launches in France

On June 11, 2024, Max was launched in France, including access to Warner Bros. Discovery's French linear TV channels and the option to subscribe to a sports-focused add-on with live sports events and Eurosport channels. The service also shared the broadcast of the 2024 Summer Olympics with France Télévisions.

July 25, 2024: Max with Disney+ and Hulu bundle launched

On July 25, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney Streaming launched a bundle of Max with Disney+ and Hulu in the United States, priced at $16.99 per month for the ad-supported version and $29.99 per month for the ad-free version.

September 17, 2024: Launch of Max Avances Linear TV Channel on Movistar Plus+

On September 17, 2024, a linear TV channel dedicated to broadcasting HBO and Max content was launched exclusively on Movistar Plus+ as Max Avances, later renamed HBO Max Avances.

September 18, 2024: Warner Bros. Discovery signs exclusive partnership agreement with U-Next.

On September 18, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery signed an exclusive partnership agreement with U-Next, allowing Max to launch within the U-Next system featuring a large library of content.

September 25, 2024: Max officially launched within U-Next

Max officially launched on September 25, 2024 within the U-Next system.

October 2024: Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky New Zealand signed new partnership agreement

In mid-October 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and Sky New Zealand signed a new partnership agreement, under which Sky would remain the exclusive distributor of both HBO and Max content in New Zealand from October 30, 2024.

October 30, 2024: Sky New Zealand to be exclusive distributor of HBO and Max content

From October 30, 2024, Sky New Zealand would host Max as a hub on its Sky Box, Sky Pod and Sky Go platforms and its Neon streaming service and the SoHo channel would be revamped as a linear HBO channel featuring HBO Original content.

November 19, 2024: Max Launches in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong/Taiwan

On November 19, 2024, the service launched as Max in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, replacing the HBO Go Asia services.

December 4, 2024: Max Adds "Channels" Tab with Live HBO Feeds

On December 4, 2024, Max added a "Channels" tab offering live feeds of HBO and its linear multiplex channels (with the exception of HBO Family and HBO Latino). This feature, initially for U.S. subscribers of Max's Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad-Free tiers using adult profiles, allows users to restart, rewind, fast-forward, and navigate between linear channel feeds within the player.

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December 9, 2024: Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky Announce Partnership

On December 9, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky announced a new non-exclusive bundling partnership in the UK and Ireland, ahead of HBO Max's expected launch in March 2026.

2024: Global Expansion of Max

After its initial launch in the United States, the rollout of Max was planned to continue throughout 2023 and 2024 to other regions.

February 14, 2025: JioCinema Merges with Disney+ Hotstar

On February 14, 2025, JioCinema merged with Disney+ Hotstar to form JioHotstar, integrating HBO contents previously on JioCinema.

February 2025: Max Soft-Launches Rebranding in Australia

In February 2025, Max soft-launched a rebranding as part of its launch in Australia, changing its corporate colors from blue to monochrome. Media outlets noted that the new design, which uses silver or black-colored logos, closely resembled the branding of HBO itself.

February 20, 2025: Max Relaunch on Vodafone TV in Greece

In Greece, the offer present in Vodafone TV was relaunched as Max on February 20, 2025, and all Max content was made available across all TV packages in Vodafone Greece.

February 25, 2025: Max to launch as standalone service in Australia

On February 25, 2025, WBD announced that Max would be launched as a standalone service in Australia on March 31, 2025. Foxtel and Binge would lose access to most HBO and Max Originals, but Foxtel subscribers would be provided a 'Basic with Ads' plan at no extra cost if they have a compatible Foxtel IQ box.

March 4, 2025: BluTV to Relaunch as Max

On March 4, 2025, it was announced that BluTV would be relaunched as Max on April 15, 2025, as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's global streaming consolidation strategy.

March 21, 2025: Coupang Play Becomes Exclusive Streaming Home for HBO and Max in South Korea

As of March 21, 2025, Coupang Play became the exclusive streaming home for the full slate of HBO and Max original content in South Korea.

March 30, 2025: Max Rebrand Launches Globally

On March 30, 2025, the Max rebrand, which began in February in Australia, was launched globally.

March 31, 2025: Max launched as standalone service in Australia

On March 31, 2025, Max launched as a standalone service in Australia.

April 15, 2025: BluTV Relaunched as Max

BluTV is relaunched as Max on April 15, 2025, as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's global streaming consolidation strategy.

May 14, 2025: Return of "HBO Max" Branding Announced

On May 14, 2025, it was announced that the streaming service would revert to its original name, "HBO Max", on July 9, 2025.

May 2025: Subscriber Count for Discovery+ and Max

As of May 2025, Discovery+ and Max had reached a combined total of 122.3 million subscribers, illustrating the scale of the merged streaming platform.

June 10, 2025: HBO Max Announces Expansion to Eastern Europe and Central Asia

On June 10, 2025, it was announced that HBO Max would expand its global rollout to 12 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the launch planned for July 2025.

July 8, 2025: Rebranding back to "HBO Max" to roll out starting July 9

On July 8, 2025, it was reported that the rebranding back to "HBO Max" would begin to roll out on July 9, with Variety reporting that WBD executives wanted it to take effect before the announcement of the nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.

July 9, 2025: HBO Max Branding Reinstated

On July 9, 2025, the streaming service officially reverted to its original name, "HBO Max", after previously being rebranded as "Max".

July 2025: HBO Max Launches in Iceland and Extends Partnership with Síminn

In July 2025, HBO Max officially launched in Iceland, and HBO and Síminn extended their partnership to bundle HBO Max with the Síminn SVOD service.

July 2025: WBD Plans to Rename Service Back to "HBO Max"

On May 14, 2025, during its upfronts, WBD announced plans to globally rename the service back to "HBO Max" later in the year. Zaslav explained that "the powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming". CEO of HBO and Max Content Casey Bloys added that the HBO brand "clearly states our implicit promise to deliver content that is recognized as unique and, to steal a line we always said at HBO, worth paying for."

July 22, 2025: HBO Max Launch in Baltic and Post-Soviet States

On June 10, 2025, it was announced that HBO Max would launch in the Baltic states and other post-Soviet states, including Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, on July 22, 2025. Launches for Albania, Cyprus, and Malta were also announced for the same timeframe.

October 15, 2025: Max Expanded to Remaining Southeast Asian Countries

On October 15, 2025, Max expanded to the remaining Southeast Asian countries (except Vietnam) and Macau and Mongolia.

December 5, 2025: Netflix Announces Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery

On December 5, 2025, Netflix announced its intent to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $72 billion, which would include HBO Max, HBO, Warner Bros. film, game and television studios, DC Entertainment/DC Studios, while excluding Discovery+, CNN, and the company's linear television networks.

2025: Future Seasons of Sesame Street Streamed Exclusively on HBO Max Until 2025

Future seasons of Sesame Street streamed exclusively on HBO Max until 2025, 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.

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January 13, 2026: HBO Max Launches in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein

HBO Max was launched on January 13, 2026 in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.

February 2026: WBD Reopens Negotiations with Paramount Skydance

In February 2026, after receiving a contractual waiver from Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery reopened negotiations with Paramount Skydance regarding a potential acquisition.

February 17, 2026: HBO Max to launch as standalone service in New Zealand

On February 17, 2026, WBD confirmed that it would be launching HBO Max as a standalone service in New Zealand from mid-2026.

February 26, 2026: WBD Board Accepts Paramount Skydance's Acquisition Offer

On February 26, 2026, WBD's board determined that Paramount Skydance's revised $110.9 billion offer constituted a superior proposal to the existing Netflix agreement. Netflix declined to match the offer and withdrew, allowing Paramount Skydance to proceed as the winning bidder.

March 26, 2026: HBO Max Launches in the UK and Ireland

On March 26, 2026, HBO Max is set to launch in the UK and Ireland, completing its European roll-out.

April 2026: Expiration of HBO Max Originals Partnership

The partnership for showing HBO Max originals is expiring in April 2026.

2026: All Wavve-distributed contents migrated to Coupang Play

As of 2026 all Wavve-distributed contents migrated to Coupang Play.