Max is unlocking access to live HBO channels for select subscribers in the United States. While the channels themselves are hardly new, access to them in the past has typically required a live TV package.
The change will begin as early as today for some subscribers as Max is now in the process of making the HBO live channels available to a select number of subscribers. According to The Wrap, select ad-free (Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad-Free) subscribers in the U.S. with an adult profile.
The new channels appear to be exactly the same as the linear channels available through live TV packages. For example, subscribers included in the test will now have access to HBO, HBO 2, HBO Comedy, HBO Signature, and HBO Zone.
Existing ad-free subscribers can check if they have access to the new linear experience by checking for a ‘Channels‘ row on the app’s home screen. Selecting one of the channels in the row will automatically redirect the user to what’s currently playing on the channel.
It would appear that this is only the beginning of things to come. Warner Bros. Discovery not only expects to continue to expand access to more Max subscribers in the future, but apparently also the variety of channels available as well.
According to The Verge, Warner Bros. Discovery currently plans to add a selection of themed and curated channels to Max sometime next year.
If more themed channels were to become available, this would follow Disney’s recent move to introduce themed live channels to Disney+. Not to mention, the wide number of other free and paid services that now offer a selection of always-on curated and themed live channels.
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