Formerly known as HBO Max, “Max” is the streaming service of the Warner Bros. group. Discovery. In the United States, Max is a serious competitor to Netflix and Disney+. Its launch in France is planned for 2024, with the probable replacement of Prime Video’s Warner Pass.
HBO Max will one day arrive in France, but without HBO. In April 2023, the Warner Bros. group. Discovery had revealed its intention to conquer the world with Max, a service which brings together the Warner, HBO, Discovery, TCM, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, CNN and Eurosport catalogs.
Resulting from the merger between HBO Max and Discovery+, Max aims to become a benchmark in the streaming market, thanks to content for all ages, where HBO Max had an approach focused on quality series. Its launch in France should take place before summer 2024.
Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Big Bang Theory: the recipe for success?
In addition to all content from the Warner Bros. group. Discovery (which can currently be found in the Warner Pass on Amazon Prime Video in France), Max wants to create the perfect mix between known franchises and more ordinary content, which can be watched while doing something else (documentaries, reality TV, entertainment, cartoons, etc.).
Among the big Max franchises, there is Harry Potter, Game Of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us and the 2024 Olympic Games. The platform should also broadcast season 2 of House of the Dragon upon release, if available in time.
Several future programs, like the first series Harry Potter of history, a new prequel to Game Of Thronesseries Penguin In the universe The Batmanare also announced.
Max available in France by June 16, 2024?
Initially, HBO Max was due to arrive in France in early 2023, after the termination of its contract with OCS. The Warner group has finally decided to launch the Warner Pass on Prime Video, with content similar to that of Max. A provisional strategy, time to develop your platform.
Since then, France has been waiting for Max. The service will be launched on May 21, 2024 in several European countries… but not in France. For what ? The streaming service could be dependent on the end of its contract with Amazon, the signing of an agreement with Canal+ or the Paris Olympic Games, which its Eurosport channel broadcasts (there will be Max Sport on the streaming service).
Max promises it will be available in France before the Olympic Games, which start in July. Since House of the Dragon arrives on June 16, 2024 and that Max will probably bet on this series for its launch, we can hope for a launch around this date.
How much will Max cost?
What will be the French prices for Max? Answering this question with certainty is impossible. On the other hand, here are the three formulas offered in the United States:
- $9.99 per month: 2 screens, HD stream, with advertisements.
- $15.99 per month : 2 screens, HD streams, 30 downloads, no ads.
- $19.99 per month: 4 screens, 4K, Dolby Atmos, 100 downloads, no ads.
In the United States, the Discovery+ service continues to exist independently ($4.99 per month), but HBO Max no longer exists. In France, the Warner Pass currently costs 9.99 euros per month in addition to the Prime subscription.
What are Max’s ambitions?
With Max, the owner of the HBO brand has measured ambitions (130 million subscribers by 2025, while it has more than 96 million today) An easy objective to achieve by launching into new markets ). Max is today the 4th streaming service in the world, behind Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video (excluding services reserved for China).
By adding several important markets, such as France, this objective should be largely beaten. Can Max succeed in becoming essential? The HBO catalog has managed to create a reputation in recent years, its price and its integration into packages, on Canal or on Prime, will do the rest.
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