Who Owns HBO Max?
HBO Max is owned by Warner Bros Discovery, a publicly traded American mass media and entertainment conglomerate. HBO Max operates as a proprietary unit within Warner Bros Discovery's Streaming & Studios division. Warner Bros Discovery trades on NASDAQ under WBD and is headquartered in New York City, USA.
Parent Company
Warner Bros. Discovery
Founded
2020
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns HBO Max?
- Parent Company: Warner Bros. Discovery
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: WBD
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| HBO Max | Warner Bros. Discovery | Subsidiary |
History of HBO Max
- Founded: 2020
- Founders: WarnerMedia (internal development)
HBO Max was launched on May 27, 2020, by WarnerMedia as a successor to HBO Go and HBO Now. The service was developed to combine HBO's premium content with WarnerMedia's extensive library from Warner Bros, DC Entertainment, and other properties, creating a comprehensive streaming platform.
The launch came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated streaming adoption and created immediate demand for home entertainment options. HBO Max distinguished itself from competitors by including all HBO programming alongside WarnerMedia's extensive content library and original productions.
In 2022, following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery to form Warner Bros Discovery, HBO Max underwent strategic changes. The service was rebranded as simply "Max" in some international markets while maintaining the HBO Max branding in the United States to preserve the HBO brand's premium recognition.
Throughout 2023-2025, HBO Max continued to expand its content library through Warner Bros Discovery productions, including original series, films, and documentaries. The service integrated content from Discovery's unscripted programming while maintaining HBO's reputation for premium scripted content.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a publicly traded American media and entertainment conglomerate formed in April 2022 through the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. In June 2025, the company announced a plan to split into two separate publicly traded companies: Warner Bros. (streaming, studios, HBO/Max) and Discovery Global (linear TV networks). The split is expected to complete in mid-2026 and is structured to be tax-free.
- Founded: 2022
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: WBD
Where Is HBO Max Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global (digital streaming)
Brands Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
- Adult Swim - American programming block and streaming service on Cartoon Network featuring ad...
- Animal Planet - American cable television network focused on wildlife, animal behavior, nature d...
- Boomerang - American cable television network and streaming service focused on classic and c...
- Cartoon Network - American children's television network known for animated series and original pr...
- CNN - American multinational news-based television channel and flagship property of Wa...
- DC Comics - American comic book publisher and entertainment company known for superhero char...
- Discovery Channel - American cable television network known for documentary, reality, and educationa...
- Eurosport - European sports television network and streaming service providing coverage of m...
- Food Network - American cable television network focused on cooking shows, culinary competition...
- HBO - American premium cable and satellite television network known for original progr...
- HGTV - American cable television network focused on home improvement, interior design, ...
- Magnolia Network - American cable television network and streaming service focused on home design, ...
- Max - American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HB...
- TCM - American cable television network dedicated to classic films, cinema history, an...
- TLC - American cable television network focused on lifestyle, reality, and entertainme...
- Travel Channel - American cable television network focused on travel, tourism, adventure, and des...
- Warner Bros. - American film and television production and distribution company known for movie...
HBO Max Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Access to Warner Bros Discovery's extensive content library and production resources
- +Premium HBO brand recognition and reputation for quality programming
- +Integration with Warner Bros film releases and television productions
- +Strong financial backing from major media conglomerate
- +Ability to invest in original content and exclusive licensing deals
Considerations
- -Intense competition from Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services
- -High content investment requirements to maintain competitive library
- -Balance between theatrical releases and streaming exclusivity
- -Consumer subscription fatigue in crowded streaming market
- -Integration challenges from merging large media organizations
Frequently Asked Questions About HBO Max
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
HBO Max on AmazonWarner Bros. Discovery Stock Information
Jobs at Warner Bros. Discovery
Latest News About HBO Max
Related Articles About HBO Max
View more articles
What Brands Does Disney Own? The Complete List for 2026
Disney is far more than Mickey Mouse. From Marvel to ESPN to National Geographic, here is every major brand and studio that The Walt Disney Company owns in 2026.
Streaming Services: Corporate Ownership Explained
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+. Every streaming service is backed by a media giant. Here is who owns what in the 2026 streaming wars.
Who Owns Spotify? The Streaming Giant's Ownership Explained
Spotify has 675+ million users and dominates music streaming. But who actually owns Spotify, how is it structured, and how does its ownership compare to Apple Music and YouTube Music?