'Max' will combine HBO Max and Discovery Plus — here's everything you need to know about the expanded streaming service

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• Max is Warner Bros. Discovery's revamped version of HBO Max, which will now include shows from Discovery Plus.
• The rebranded service launches May 23 with plans ranging from $10/month to $20/month.
• Existing HBO Max members will automatically transition to Max; Discovery Plus will remain a separate service.

Max is finally here. The long-awaited merger of HBO Max and Discovery Plus combines content from the two services into one app, one subscription plan, and one monthly fee. In an era of too many streaming options with too many separate costs, Max is trying to make it easier than ever to use one service for the whole family's viewing needs.

It's an attractive offering, especially because the price remains the same for current HBO Max subscribers.

While the new service doesn't officially launch until May 23, full details are available now, including how much it costs, what happens to current HBO Max subscribers, and what content is to come. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about Max.

What is Max?

Max is Warner Bros. Discovery's new streaming service, which will serve as a rebranding, expansion, and replacement of the existing HBO Max platform. Max will offer a combination of content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus, with movies, shows, and documentaries geared toward every member of the household. 

As such, Max will be the new streaming home to series like "The Last of Us," "Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives," "Harry Potter," "House of the Dragon," and many more titles that used to be exclusively available to either service. Leveraging all of Warner Bros. Discovery's various properties, Max will include titles from HBO, Warner Bros. Studios, Discovery Channel, DC, Cartoon Network, Food Network, TCM, Magnolia Network, and more.

How much does Max cost?

Max will be available at three different pricing tiers, all of which will include the entire library of Max content. 

• Max Ad-lite: $10/month or $100/year for ad-supported streaming with up to two simultaneous streams, no offline downloads, and 5.1 surround sound quality
• Max Ad-free: $16/month or $150/year for ad-free streaming with up to two simultaneous streams, 1080p HD video playback, up to 30 offline downloads, and 5.1 surround sound quality
• Max Ultimate: $20/month or $200/year with up to four simultaneous streams, up to 4K HD Ultra video playback with HDR, 100 offline downloads, and Dolby Atmos sound quality

How do I sign up for Max?

Max doesn't formally launch until May 23, but you can sign up now by subscribing to the existing HBO Max service. It costs the same amount, and current HBO Max subscribers will be automatically transferred over to Max on May 23.

How is Max different from HBO Max?

Max will offer everything HBO Max has, in addition to tons of popular content from Discovery Plus, including shows from Food Network, HGTV, TLC, ID, and more. The new platform will also feature a revamped interface and some other quality of life improvements to make finding content easier across all of the service's different brands.

Though you can get Max for the same price as HBO Max's existing ad-lite and ad-free plans, Max will also offer one additional pricing tier, Max Ultimate, which costs $20 a month for up to four concurrent streams, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Atmos sound quality, and up to 100 offline downloads. 

What happens to current HBO Max subscribers?

Current HBO Max subscribers will be automatically switched over to Max when the app updates on May 23; some users may be prompted to manually download the Max app. 

Since the price of the service remains the same during the change, current HBO Max subscribers don't lose anything when the switch happens. Instead, they'll get access to the vast Max library that includes popular content formerly exclusive to Discovery Plus, like shows from TLC, HGTV, ID, and Food Network. 

What happens to current HBO cable viewers?

As was the case with HBO Max, viewers who already have HBO through their cable or satellite TV provider may get access to Max for no additional cost. To find out if you qualify, check out the list of eligible providers here. 

What if I'm currently a Discovery Plus subscriber?

Current Discovery Plus subscribers need not be concerned about the launch of Max in May. If you're a member right now, you'll be able to keep your Discovery Plus membership with no additional fees. If you choose to upgrade to Max, you can do so by signing up for one of the new pricing tiers. 

What can I watch on Max?

Max will be home to content that used to require two subscriptions to view: HBO Max and Discovery Plus. The library will include a huge catalog pulled from all of Warner Bros. Discovery's various brands, including HBO, Warner Bros. Studios, Discovery Channel, DC, Cartoon Network, Looney Tunes, and more. This includes current hits like "Euphoria," "Succession," "The Last of Us," "The Property Brothers," "The Barefoot Contessa," and "90 Day Fiance." 

In addition, Max will also be home to a growing collection of Max Originals developed exclusively for the service. New Warner Bros. movies will also hit Max after they play in theaters.

Some new and upcoming movies set to hit Max after their theatrical runs include: 

• "Shazam! Fury of the Gods (available May 23)
• "Barbie"
• "Dune: Part Two"
• "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
• "The Flash""
• "Blue Beetle"

Some notable Max Originals in development include: 

• "The Penguin"
• "Welcome to Derry"
• "The Conjuring" series
• "The Big Bang Theory" spinoff
• A new "Harry Potter" series
• "Fixer Upper: The Hotel"
• "Rick and Morty: The Anime"
• "Love & Translation"