Warner to Disaggregate Max Anew, Set to Sell It Through YouTube Primetime Channels This Time

David Zaslav
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Discovery)

When it launched the erstwhile HBO Max back in 2020, the company formally known as WarnerMedia made business war on Amazon, losing millions of dollars and subscribers to keep the online retail giant from controlling its new subscription streaming service through the Amazon Prime Video app.

These days, under a vastly different management philosophy, Warner Bros. Discovery will distribute the since-rebranded Max seemingly through anyone with an app-base marketplace.

You can now sign up and watch the ad-free version of Max via the YouTube Primetime Channels marketplace, using the YouTube app. 

Also read: HBO Max Goes 180 on Amazon Channels-Style 'Disaggregation,' Signs Onto Verizon +play

There won't be a break on the $15.99-a-month price, but you'll be billed through Google/YouTube, which will control Max data and the overall customer experience -- the kinds of things that WarnerMedia used to fight for but WBD does not. 

There are currently 45 digital services available in YouTube Primetime Channels.

With WBD having lost around 2.5 million streaming subscribers from the end of March through September, WBD took some of the real estate of its press release Tuesday to talk about upcoming programming events. 

These include the Jan. 14 debut of the latest "True Detective" installment, titled Night Country, starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. 

Also coming down the HBO/Max pipeline are the spy thriller and "cross-culture satire" miniseries The Sympathizer, executive produced and starring Robert Downey Jr. alongside Sandra Oh; the DC Studios. "Batman" series adaptation The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell; and limited series The Regime starring Kate Winslet; 

As for returning shows, Larry David's long-running Curb Your Enthusiasm returns in February; season 2 of Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon arrives next summer; and Hacks comes back for season 3 sometime in 2024, as well. 

Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!