The streaming giant HBO Max is poised for yet another significant transformation in its branding strategy.

In a bold move, Warner Bros. Discovery has revealed plans to rebrand its streaming service from Max back to HBO Max, just one year after eliminating the “HBO” designation to attract a wider audience. This marks the third major rebranding effort within a span of five years: the service was first launched as HBO Max in May 2020, underwent a name change to Max in May 2023, and is now reverting to its original title.

Discover the reasoning behind this reversal and its potential implications for subscribers in the sections below.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Max’s Return to HBO Max

The decision to restore the HBO Max name stems from a desire to reconnect with the core elements that contributed to the platform’s initial success: the powerful reputation and prestige associated with the HBO brand. When the service transitioned to Max, the intention was to broaden its appeal by integrating content from Discovery+, featuring reality shows and lifestyle programming. However, this rebranding led to confusion among subscribers and weakened the iconic HBO identity that many loyal viewers cherished.

In a statement, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized, “The remarkable growth we have achieved in our global streaming service is founded on the quality of our programming.” He continued, “Today, we are reinstating HBO, a brand synonymous with the highest quality in media, to further boost our growth trajectory in the coming years.”

Timeline for the Transition from Max to HBO Max

According to the announcement made by Warner Bros. Discovery, the streaming platform will officially revert to its previous name, HBO Max, during the summer of 2025.

Expectations for HBO Max’s Content and Pricing Structure

Currently, Warner Bros. Discovery has not disclosed any modifications to the content library or pricing plans related to the rebranding from Max back to HBO Max. Subscribers can anticipate the same extensive selection of content, featuring HBO original series, critically acclaimed Warner Bros. films, and engaging Discovery+ programming.

Exploring the Hottest Shows Currently Streaming on Max

As of 2025, some of the standout shows captivating audiences on Max include:

• The Last of Us: Featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, this gripping post-apocalyptic drama continues to resonate with viewers. Season 2 has made waves, with its premiere attracting 5.3 million U.S. viewers, and the finale soaring to 8.2 million, surpassing the viewership records set by Season 1.

• The Pitt: Driven by the talents of Noah Wyle, this riveting medical drama delves into the chaos and human experiences within a Pittsburgh ER. The show has emerged as a breakout success, debuting within the top five of Max‘s original series premieres. It boasts an impressive 92% critics score and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

• The White Lotus: Mike White’s darkly satirical anthology series continues to attract and engage audiences. Season 3, set in the exotic locale of Thailand, concluded with a staggering 6.2 million viewers tuning in for the finale, marking a remarkable 51% increase compared to the finale of Season 2.

• The Gilded Age: Julian Fellowes’ captivating period drama explores the opulence and societal transformations of 1880s New York. Season 2 averaged 498,000 live viewers per episode, with a peak viewership reaching 593,000.