Sorry, HBO Max legacy subscribers, MAX is taking away 4K streaming starting next month

In May of this year, HBO Max was rebranded as MAX in the United States, and this transformation is expected to go global in 2024. However, long-time HBO Max subscribers are in for a nasty surprise.

In May, Warner Bros. Discovery promised existing HBO Max subscribers to the ad-free plan that they could keep certain benefits, like 4K streaming, for at least six months at no additional cost. Well, the company is ready to deliver on its promise as it approaches that six-month mark.

As reported The edgeMAX is contacting affected customers, informing them that while their monthly price of $15.99 will remain the same, they will lose some benefits starting December 5.

Specifically, 4K and HDR streaming will be removed for legacy customers, limiting them to HD quality, similar to new signups in MAX’s ad-free tier. To keep 4K playback, they’ll need to upgrade to the “ultimate” plan, priced at $19.99 per month.

Previous ad-free subscribers also received an additional simultaneous stream (for a total of three) compared to the standard two for new signups on the $15.99 plan. Unfortunately, this benefit will also become history starting with the December billing cycle.

Over its 51-year history, HBO has gone through many changes. Initially limited to subscribers in a small area of ​​New York City, HBO quickly became the first American channel to broadcast its programming via satellite, allowing it to reach a national audience.

In the 1990s, HBO marked the television landscape with its groundbreaking drama series. In 2020, HBO entered the streaming wars with HBO Max. In May of this year, Warner Bros. Discovery launched a rebranded version of HBO Max called Max, offering the same content with additional features such as a new user interface and support for more devices.