HBO Max Returns Like It Never Left—Because It Kinda Didn’t

Warner Bros. streaming platform Max is now HBO Max again. This follows an announcement made back in May. Frankly speaking, many saw it coming already. This change is now in place from the company’s side officially. The new (yet old) branding is live across its website and mobile apps.

HBO Max is now back again

After reports that the change in branding might happen today, the process is underway already. The max.com now redirects to hbomax.com. Additionally, the app on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store is also updated with the new branding. Apple Store includes a simple patch note that says, “Same app. New-ish name. The plot twist everyone has been waiting for: Max is now HBO Max.”

You don’t have to download a new app, like during the Max rollout. The existing app automatically updates to reflect the HBO Max branding. At the time of walking back to its original naming, HBO head Casey Bloys said that this rebrand “better represents” what the service offers. The service has been calling its originals “HBO Originals” instead of “Max Originals.” This was the first clue about the change in branding. In March, Max updated its logo, which looked similar to the old HBO logo.

Warner Bros. and Discovery split

HBO Max launched in 2020 in a move to consolidate and put all its originals and other content under a single roof. The service was rebranded to Max in 2023. This move combined HBO’s original shows and Discovery’s documentaries, reality shows, and lifestyle content.

Now, Warner Bros. and Discovery have announced their plans to split into two different companies. This change will see HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, and others coming together as one organization. Meanwhile, Discovery Plus, CNN, sports, and other brands will form into another.