TheHBOstreaming service will officially be changing its name tomorrow. In May 2023, HBO rebranded its streaming platform to simply be called Max after previously being called HBO Max from 2020 to 2023. However, it was recently revealed during Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront presentation in May 2025 that the streaming platform’s name would be changed back to HBO Max.
As perThe Hollywood Reporter,as of June 9, HBO’s streaming service will be called HBO Max again. The HBO Max logo will replace the Max logo for all current app users when the rebranding goes into effect. While a new app needed to be downloaded when the name was changed to Max, a new download will reportedly be unnecessary this time.
What This Means For HBO
The Name Change Is Part Of Wider Shifts At Warner Bros. Discovery
Given the rich history ofall-time great HBO showsand the strong brand recognition of those three letters, the decision to alter the streaming service’s name to Max has been criticized ever since the change was first announced. Thatbrand recognition is now restored by putting HBO back into the stream’s name.
Beyond the obvious recognition, the name change ispart of more extensive changes that are in the worksgiven the news thatWarner Bros. Discovery is splitting into two companies. One is Streaming & Studios, which will include HBO, DC Studios, Warner Bros. Television, and Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group.
HBO Max will fall under Streaming & Studios.
The other company will be Global Networks, which will include sports and news television brands like CNN, TNT Sports, and Discovery. HBO Max will fall under Streaming & Studios, with the streaming service providing many new and old movies and television series.
Our Take On The Name Change
It Makes Sense & Was Overdue
Removing HBO from the streaming platform’s name was always a baffling decision, and returning to the old name is a change that is long overdue. When I think about my favoriteGame of Thronesepisodesor aboutThe Last of Usseason 2, Iimmediately think of HBO and do not associate these shows with Max, regardless of when these shows were released.
WithThe Last of Us season 3,House of the Dragonseason 3, and theHarry Pottershow on the way, along with many other highly anticipated projects, it is for the best that theywill be more so associated with HBO instead of just being branded as Max originals.
It is also promising to know thatthe transition will be relatively seamlesswith the logo changing toHBOMax and a new app download not being required.
