Technologies
HBO Max Is Changing Its Name. We Answer Your Top Questions Here
The new streaming service gets a fresh name, updated features and a fuller catalog. Here’s what we know so far about Max.

Warner Bros. Discovery revealed on Wednesday that «HBO Max» is out, and «Max» is the name of its rebranded streaming service. The reworked platform will house merged content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus, giving you shows like Euphoria and Succession next to greige-tinted unscripted series like Fixer Upper. Along with the new name comes a new tagline: The One to Watch.
The company is touting a larger library and a better user interface, but you may have some basic questions about how all these changes will affect your existing account. And newcomers may be curious about what’s up with Max and what the service has to offer. Here are answers to some of your questions.
When will Max roll out in my country?
US customers will have access to Max on May 23. Users in Latin America will see the rollout in fall 2023, with certain Europe and Asia markets receiving Max access in early to mid 2024.
Once the service launches, it will automatically upgrade with the new Max logo, interface and features. According to Warner Bros. Discovery, existing subscribers will see their profiles, billing information and watch lists seamlessly transfer to the updated version and they’ll only have to open the app to use the platform. However, the company said some users will be prompted to download the new version of the streaming app.
New Max customers can either sign up for HBO Max now, or wait to subscribe to the new service on May 23 to start streaming instantly.
How much will Max cost?
The price will remain the same as current HBO Max subscriptions, but there’s one new premium plan that will cost more than the standard two options. Max Ad-Lite will cost $10 per month and come with HD and two streams, while ad-free Max is priced at $16 monthly for HD, two streams and 30 downloads.
When the new service arrives in May, there will also be a $20-per-month Ultimate Plan, which offers four concurrent streams, 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos sound and 100 downloads. This is a change, as HBO Max currently offers three streams for both plans with the ability to watch some titles in 4K Ultra HD. Yes, you’ll have to pay more for 4K, but some existing HBO Max features will still be available for up to six months after Max’s launch.
Note that Discovery Plus will continue to be a standalone streaming option. It’s currently priced at $5 a month for the ad-supported plan and $7 per month without ads.
What TV shows and movies will be on Max?
Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming offering will bring together content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus. Max will have HBO originals, Warner Bros. movies, Max originals, DC Comics and Harry Potter alongside programming from brands including Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC and ID. The entire HBO Max library will be found on Max with a selected collection of Discovery titles.
At its Wednesday press conference, Warner Bros. Discovery highlighted a range of new titles that’ll be hitting the freshly rebranded streaming service. In addition to DC drama The Penguin, subscribers will have access to spinoffs of familiar franchises like The Conjuring, The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones and Harry Potter. New shows coming to the streamer range from a limited series starring Kate Winslet to a Barbie-themed home renovation competition series, and from a thriller based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to a dating series from the producers of 90 Day Fiance.
WBD’s head of content, Kathleen Finch, and Max’s content boss, Casey Bloys, emphasized that family and children’s content will also take center stage on the new service, with an aim at audiences of all ages. Viewers will get more animation and entertainment releases from popular brands like Cartoon Network, Hanna-Barbera, Boomerang, Looney Toons and DC. This includes a new animated version of Peter & the Wolf from U2’s Bono.
Subscribers can also expect films to find Max as their streaming home after their theatrical runs. Shazam! Fury of the Gods will arrive on launch day, and Blue Beetle, Dune 2, Barbie, and The Flash are among the other movie titles you’ll find on the platform. The Flash will hit Max in the fall.


A new take on Peter & the Wolf is coming to Max, courtesy of Bono.
Max, Warner Bros. DiscoveryIs there a way to opt out of Discovery or HBO Max content?
No. But you can choose to have a standalone Discovery Plus subscription instead of subscribing to Max. While there won’t be a separate version for HBO Max and HBO-branded content, Warner Bros. Discovery says the updated app will have an interface that’s more tailored to a user’s personal tastes. It’ll also feature genre hubs and a new content navigation menu at the top of the screen to make it easier to find what you want.
According to the company’s global streaming boss, J.B. Perrette, Max will «have differentiated and high-performing personalized experiences including elements such as ‘Because You Watched’ recommendations, and immersive hero images tailored for each user.» He indicated that the app’s recommendation engine will eventually learn to surface content that matches your viewing habits.
Should I cancel my current HBO Max or Discovery Plus subscription if I have both?
There’s no need to cancel your subscriptions right now unless you’re no longer enjoying them. All existing HBO Max subscribers will transition to Max when the app relaunches in May. Max will include Discovery Plus content, but Discovery Plus will also remain a separate, lower-priced streaming option that has content only from Discovery networks. If you like Max’s fully merged lineup, then you may want to wait and drop Discovery Plus in May.
What if I get HBO or HBO Max through cable?
If you currently receive HBO Max or HBO through a mobile carrier or your cable/satellite TV provider, you’ll have access to the updated Max app. You won’t have to cancel and resubscribe. Upon launch, it’ll be available through AT&T, Hulu, Cox, Xfinity, Verizon, DirecTV, Prime Video channels and other services. You can view the list on the Max website. Max will be accessible on most devices, including TVs, gaming consoles and mobile phones.
If you’re new to Max or Discovery Plus, you can sign up now or wait until May 23.
To learn more about WBD’s streaming services, read up on its strategy for live sports and which channels are on Discovery Plus.
Technologies
Expect Record Traffic for Memorial Day Weekend: 6 Money and Time Savers
Technologies
Memorial Day Sale: Google’s Pixel 9 Series Has Up to $300 Off Right Now
Get the standard Pixel 9 or the more premium Pixel 9 Fold for less with these incredible Memorial Day deals.

Android users who want to upgrade to a shiny new phone are always going to be pleased if they check out the Google Pixel 9 lineup. Right now is a great time to pick one up too, because the Memorial Day deals are in full swing, and they can save you some serious cash.
In fact, right now you can get your hands on this line of phones with up to $300 off right now on Amazon, meaning you can get one for as little as $599. You can save even more money if you’ve got a phone to trade in and go with Best Buy too.
There is so much to love about the Pixel 9 series, including its sleek design, the impressive camera setup and even AI features such as the ability to search for content in screenshots, create images from scratch using Pixel Studio app and more.
Pricing varies depending on which model you choose, along with the exact configurations, but there are plenty of options for nearly everyone right now. As a rule, the base Pixel 9 lists for $799 — but right now you can save $200 and score yours for just $599. It’s also our pick for the best phone for Android purists.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL also made the list as the top Google phones you can get. They retail for $999 and $1,099, respectively. However, you can get your hands on the 6.3-inch model for as low as $799 or the 6.8-inch model for as little as $899. Of course, if you’re looking for a foldable phone, you’ll enjoy the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It typically starts at $1,799, but it’s down to as low as $1,499 right now — a whopping $300 discount.
SMARTPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$799 (save $200)
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$300 (save $100)
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$357 (save $273)
Why this deal matters
Right now you can save up to $300 off select Pixel 9 series phones at Amazon. The Google Pixel 9 series is chock-full of great options with a lot of features we loved, but that usually carries a large price tag. Saving up to $300 goes a long way, and as these prices are at record lows, we don’t expect the cost to drop any lower any time soon. Getting any of these phones at a discount is a great find, but these prices likely won’t stick around for long, so act fast if you’re interested.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, May 23
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for May 23.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword isn’t too tough. Lots of similar clues ask you to solve for a certain word, and then add a Y. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Chooses to receive marketing emails, with «in»
Answer: OPTS
5A clue: Buck ___, first Black coach in Major League Baseball (1962)
Answer: ONEIL
6A clue: Like your epidermis?
Answer: SKINNY
7A clue: Like the element Fe?
Answer: IRONY
8A clue: Quite a lot of
Answer: MANY
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Bulb in the kitchen
Answer: ONION
2D clue: Like an ink-filled writing tool?
Answer: PENNY
3D clue: Microscopic
Answer: TINY
4D clue: Acting deviously
Answer: SLY
5D clue: Green gumbo ingredient
Answer: OKRA
6D clue: ___ card (smartphone chip)
Answer: SIM
How to play more Mini Crosswords
The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.
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