In 2022 it became clear that the streaming services HBO Max and Discovery Plus will be merged. Both services now fall under Warner Bros. Discovery, so it is no longer necessary to maintain two different streaming services. It will actually happen from June 11. What will change for subscribers?
First of all, there will soon be three different subscription types:
- Basic with advertising: 5.99 euros per month (Full HD, two devices simultaneously)
- Standard: 9.99 euros per month (Full HD, two devices, 30 downloads)
- Premium: 13.99 euros per month (4K UHD and Dolby Atmos, four devices, 100 downloads)
You will then get all content from HBO Max and all content from Discovery Plus. However, sports are not included. Do you also want UFC, cycling, Grand Slams and all the offers from Eurosport 1 and 2? Then you have to take out a sports add-on. This is possible with all three subscription types and costs an extra 5 euros per month.
Lifetime discount on HBO Max?
Subscribers who signed up for a discounted subscription to HBO Max at the very beginning won’t be happy. Yes, your 50 percent discount is more or less retained, but you go from the current 4K subscription to the standard subscription with only Full HD quality. So you go down in quality and you also have to pay an extra euro for it, namely 4.99 euros per month compared to 3.99 euros per month now. So less quality for more money. Do you then decide to switch to the Premium subscription with 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos? So that’s not possible. You will then lose your lifetime discount of 50 percent as soon as you switch.
Update: HBO Max seems to have caved in to all the criticism from existing subscribers. After a day full of contradictions and people who were actually told that they were going to lose their 4K and Dolby Atmos, the streaming service made a U-turn yesterday. For the time being, you will continue to receive the current benefits, as the streaming service announced via Twitter.
Please note the sentence: ‘We will let you know in advance if we need to make changes to this in the future.’ This sentence was pasted under every answer by default, so don’t be surprised if it is changed once more within a few months.
Discovery Plus remains for existing subscribers
Do you have a subscription to Discovery Plus? Then nothing will change for the time being. You will no longer be able to take out a new subscription to Discovery Plus and if you cancel it, you will no longer be able to take out it once more and you will have to switch to HBO Max and the sports add-on. However, the current Discovery Plus service will be retained for existing subscribers. So, at least for the time being, you don’t have to switch and pay more.
Also to Belgium
From July 1, HBO Max will also be available in Belgium. There is currently no further information regarding prices.
