Next week, HBO Max goes Max. Yes, the best streaming service is undergoing a major rebranding as its library grows to include a vast amount of unscripted content.

We've been waiting for this day since executives at parent company Warner Bros. Discovery last year had a vision to offer one super service: a Disney bundle of Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus in a discounted package. It's an alternative to the plan.

And for a while, we had more questions than answers. Fortunately, WBD explained the so-called HBO Max and Discovery Plus merger.

Ask some of my friends at HBO what the name means and that is all. That said, don't worry that the transition from HBO Max to Max (which will take place on May 23, 2023) will mean less HBO stuff. This is more about additions and rebranding.

It's confusing; HBO is a much-loved brand, but parents may not see HBO as a place where their children can watch appropriate content. Too many memories of Tony Soprano's family. Potential.

Think of this as similar to the transition from CBS All Access to Paramount Plus, or from HBO Now to HBO Max. Nothing is leaving (well, except for things like "Westworld," which has already been kicked to Roku and Tubi). [Peacemaker" and "Rehearsal" and other beloved shows we've seen on HBO Max aren't going anywhere. Season 3 of "The White Lotus" is not only going to happen, but a new location has reportedly been chosen for Thailand.

Thanks to a merger with Discovery Plus, which is owned by HBO's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, Max is growing by leaps and bounds. I say "kinda" because there are two caveats.

First, as rumored, Discovery Plus will remain a stand-alone entity. In other words, Discovery Plus subscribers will not have to experience any changes; WBD is happy with its current service.

Second, not all of Discovery Plus will come to Max; at WBD's Upfronts, executives said that Max will get "the best of Discovery Plus." This means that one should expect all of the big properties like the Magnolia Network (which has been heavily promoted) and the 90 Day Fiancé Universe.

There is some good news: you can get all of Max's new Discovery Plus content without a price increase. Yes, we're surprised, too: Max will have the same $9.99 ad-supported entry-level price and $15.99 ad-free price.

At least for now. Yes, call me cynical, but it's the only price increase we can really expect anymore for streaming services.

The one annoying change in the Max transition is something called the Ultimate Ad-Free tier: 4K streams, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, plus more downloads and simultaneous streams if you want them. You will pay for it.

The Ultimate Ad-Free tier costs $19.99 per month, the same as Netflix's premium 4K tier (which is probably no coincidence).

But if you don't want to pay more, don't worry. Succession, The White Lotus, and Barry season 4 are not 4K titles for HBO Max subscribers.

There is a bit of good news: for existing HBO Max subscribers who purchased before Max's launch, this change will be delayed a bit. The current benefits (including 4K and Dolby standards) will be offered for six months. This way, they will be able to watch the Barbie movie and other Max blockbusters in 4K until Thursday, November 23, 2023.

So if you haven't subscribed yet, do so now.

When we talk about the biggest shows coming to Max, we always come back to one name: Harry Potter. The new Harry Potter TV series will offer a "faithful adaptation" of the original books and will incorporate more of the events of the original books, it was announced at Max's public event.

However, no release date has been given, and no casting or other details other than J.K. Rowling will be the executive producer, so don't expect a release anytime soon, most likely in 2026.

Then there is also a new "Game of Thrones" series planned, "The Knights of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight." Consisting of the first three prequels by author (and executive producer) George R. R. Martin, the book of the same name, the series will (in Max's own words) tell the story of "a young, naive but courageous knight, the tall Sir Duncan and his diminutive squire Egg. Set in a time when the Targaryens still reign on the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet faded from living memory, great fates, powerful enemies, and dangerous exploits await our improbably incomparable friends"

Its date is also not given.

As announced at the Max reveal event, many people should wake up on May 23 (depending on their streaming device) to see the HBO Max app switch to the Max app. Simple and easy.

Others will see the HBO Max app update to Max when they open the app. Apple offers the option to "pre-order" the (free) Max app for Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad.

Judging from the above at least, the core experience of HBO Max is retained by Max. To make clear how similar the two are, we have embedded the Max and HBO Max home screens above.

You will also notice that Max has a new label at the top of the screen, and the "hamburger" menu button in the upper left corner of HBO Max is gone.

So while this may be a bit futuristic, know that Max will not grow until after its May 23, 2023 launch in the US.

After that, HBO Max will turn into Max in other markets, starting with Latin America later this year. Europe and Asia will go Max in 2024.