With streaming services constantly looking to add new subscribers and make more profit, following the success of Netflix and Disney+, cracking down on account sharing, Warner Brothers Discovery has announced that it will add options to add additional households in the United States to its streaming service, Max, obviously at an additional cost.

The introduction of the Extra Member Add-On feature is designed to give existing subscribers greater flexibility and control over how they manage sharing their Max accounts. This new feature also includes the capability to transfer an adult profile to the extra member account. Whether a user is deep into a binge session of Max Original “The Pitt,” captivated by HBO Original “The Last of Us,” or exploring the vast Warner Bros. movie collection and beyond, users will be able to stream their favorite shows, movies, and more through a seamless transition and experience.

JB Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros Discovery said in a statement:

“Extra Member Add-On and Profile Transfer are two key Max advancements, designed to help viewers with a new way to enjoy our best-in-class content at an exceptional value, and offer subscribers greater flexibility in managing their accounts.  These updates provide a simple way for subscribers to add-on a new member to their account, or for existing subscribers who have users outside of their household to smoothly, and in an uninterrupted fashion, transition their profile so that extra member can continue to access Max.”

Last year, Disney announced that it was teaming up with Warner Brothers Discovery to launch a new bundle of Disney+, Hulu and Max.  This bundle is priced at $16.99/month with ads and $29.99/month without ads, which offers a saving of up to 38% compared with the price of the services purchased separately.

Unfortunately, in the FAQ section for the new Extra Member Add-On does confirmed that this feature isn’t currently available for bundled subscribers, as it’s only available to users who subscribe directly to Max.

The FAQ also revealed some more details on how this feature will work:

• What is an Extra Member Add-On and how does it work? 
  • The Extra Member Add-On allows a primary account owner to share their Max account by inviting a friend or family member outside of their household to create a separate, standalone account with an adult profile under the same subscription. These Extra Members will have their own login credentials separate from the primary account. Extra members can stream from one profile on one device at a time and can enjoy all other benefits included in the primary account owner’s base plan. Extra Member Add-On is limited to one add-on per account.
• How much does an Extra Member Add-On cost?
  • This feature costs $7.99/month. The price is the same regardless of which tier an eligible user is subscribed to. 
• How do you purchase an Extra Member Add-On? 
  • Those who wish to take advantage of an Extra Member Add-On can purchase it directly from the Max subscription settings. Once an Extra Member Add-On is purchased, account owners can invite and manage their extra member via settings on web and mobile.
• What is Profile Transfer and how does it work?
  • When an account owner invites an Extra Member to create an account, they can choose to transfer a single adult profile, bringing over the watch history, recommendations, and settings associated with that profile to their new Max account. 

Subscribers can explore Max’s iconic library of exclusive original series, blockbuster movies, documentaries, and beloved TV from leading brands like HBO, Warner Bros., A24, Adult Swim, and the DC Universe, all with an easy-to-use and personalised experience.

Roger’s Take: It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to see Max add this feature, since it worked so well for other streaming services that have followed suit.  It’s also a disappointment that if you have the Disney+, Hulu and Max bundle, it won’t work, but I guess their view is bundled subscribers are getting a big discount already, but hoepfully in the future they open the option for those families that want to share their Max account in different households.

Are you going to use this new feature?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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