Max, the new streaming platform that takes over from HBO Max, is now available in the United States. And, as you can imagine, the opinions and reactions to its premiere have not been long in coming. Of course, unfortunately for the service, not all comments are exactly positive, while there are also a large number of memes. What has it done wrong to have angry users only a few hours after its release?
Perhaps WarnerMedia hasn’t planned the launch of its new platform as well as it had hoped given some of the reactions. Social networks have been filled with messages and there are also some journalistic outlets that have been quick to give recommendations to subscribed users so that they can take better advantage of the platform.
Content divides users
The reaction of the American public to the arrival on the scene of content very different from what they previously had access to on HBO Max has been bad. Subscribers find themselves uncomfortable surrounded by content that they did not consider at the time when they decided to sign up for HBO Max because of the offer it was making to them.
But it seems that it is something that Warner understands, since it has incorporated a shortcut in its top navigation bar where it is possible to access only HBO content. That is exactly what is recommended today in the press in the United States: that whoever needs it, put that section in favorites and thus they will not have to find reality TV content included in Max. Because it is true that Max has more content than HBO Max, but is it really content that users are looking for?
Possibly this is where Warner’s goal of expanding the reach of its platform comes into play to win users who, until now, had not felt interest in the service. After all, it is logical and makes a lot of sense. The interesting thing about the direct access to the HBO section is that it is much more flexible than you might imagine. Not only does it have its own productions that receive this distinction, but it also incorporates Warner’s largest productions, such as superhero films such as Shazam: The Fury of Gods, The Batman or Dune. Therefore, it is a “magical” shortcut to keep control of the content more similar to HBO Max than the new Max. The bad news is that it is only available in the browser and not in the application for mobile devices or Smart TVs.
users react
History is written by users and that is something that they have taken care to make clear at the premiere of Max. The first thing they have emphasized has been the way in which Warner itself is promoting the streaming platform. Because they use the slogan “The one to watch for HBO” as you can see in the image, referring to the fact that Max is where you can watch HBO, which is, to say the least, strange. The service is aware of its reliance on its old name and is keeping it afloat even though the platform is now simply Max.
JOLLY J ✨
@DynamoSuperX
they cut HBO from HBO MAX only to clarify in the tagline that it’s from HBO… https://t.co/MVy68xZVnp https://t.co/zg8z86TNX1
May 23, 2023 • 15:05
251
0
Other users are complaining about how a new mobile app called Max has been released instead of updating the one that is already available. Logic would have pointed to an update so as not to complicate life for users, but it is possible that this was the only way to offer a better experience. In any case, although we haven’t tried the new app yet, the changes between the two don’t seem so far-reaching and you just have to delete the old one to avoid getting confused.
The complaints are also related to the distinctive color change of the service, which until now was purple and with the name change has ended up adopting the blue color that a large number of platforms have. This confusion that is generated by the use of the same color is not liked by the public, although it must be recognized that there are still streaming services that have not fallen into fashion, such as Netflix.
domthebomb
@DomTheBombYT
ME SEEING HBO MAX IS NOW JUST MAX… https://t.co/4xHGvzcUDu
May 23, 2023 • 18:08
6.1K
9
But what’s most hilarious has been the way in which the name change has been used as a meme among all kinds of people and even by other companies. There are many users who are opposed to simply calling the platform Max and who have pulled the thread with their publications. Even the Empire State Building has posted saying that, inspired by Max, they are now, simply, “Building.” We assume that, beyond the effect on social networks, Warner will discover, within a few months, if his initiative has been a success or not.