Max's Ad-Free Legacy Plan Loses 4K Support, Restricts Concurrent Streams

Warner Bros. Discovery had previously informed ad-free subscribers about upcoming changes, but it appears that many of them were still taken aback when they discovered that 4K support had been removed from their legacy plans. The Max ad-free plan now only offers HD resolution and streaming on two devices concurrently, which is a downgrade from the previous ultra HD and three-device options that these customers had with their HBO Max accounts.

According to Variety, WB started sending emails to notify legacy ad-free subscribers about these changes last week. This situation arose as a result of HBO Max transitioning to Max and the impact it had on memberships. Initially, the ad-free tier included 4K support, but with the introduction of Max, WB unveiled a new Ultimate tier, which costs $20 per month (an increase of $4 compared to the ad-free tier). This new tier allows users to access ultra HD content and stream on up to four devices simultaneously.

The rebranding to Max resulted in the loss of 4K support for the ad-free tier. The Ultimate tier offers Dolby Atmos sound and 100 offline downloads, while the ad-free plan provides 5.1 surround and 30 downloads. Additionally, there is an ad-lite subscription available for $10 per month. In the future, Barbie will be coming to Max, and it is expected to arrive on the streaming service this fall. Subscribers can also anticipate the release of House of the Dragon: Season 2 in early summer 2024, available to both Max and HBO subscribers.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I'm disappointed by the news that Max's Ad-Free Legacy Plan is losing 4K support and restricting concurrent streams. This change forces subscribers to upgrade to the pricier Ultimate tier to access ultra HD resolution on certain content. It's frustrating that the ad-free plan, which was previously a great value, is now being downgraded. I understand that streaming services need to make money, but it feels like this change is just a way to squeeze more money out of subscribers.

I'm also concerned about the impact this change will have on the overall quality of the streaming experience. 4K resolution is becoming increasingly common, and it's a shame that Max is no longer offering it as part of the ad-free plan. I'm worried that this will lead to a decline in the quality of the content I watch on Max. Overall, I'm disappointed by this change and hope that Max will reconsider.