When it comes to what's written in the stars, HBO Max is banking that a large percentage of its users are believers. Or, at the very least, that they're amused enough to make the platform's newly rolled out feature one worth the time and money it took to develop. No matter if subscribers are an emotional Pisces, picky Virgo or unpredictable Gemini, the streaming service's astrology-influenced section, called "Max Horoscopes," has a list of movie and television suggestions that correspond with each respective sign. Because, if one thing is for sure, what the other top streaming platforms were lacking was quality zodiac-based content.
As a refresher, there are 12 zodiac signs, each falling between certain dates and having a related symbol. They include Aquarius (Water-Bearer): January 20 - February 18, Pisces (Fish): February 19 - March 20, Aries (Ram): March 21 - April 19, Taurus (Bull): April 20 - May 20, Gemini (Twins): May 21 - June 21, Cancer (Crab): June 22 - July 22, Leo (Lion): July 23 - August 22, Virgo (Virgin): August 23 - September 22, Libra (Balance): September 23 - Oct 23, Scorpio (Scorpion): October 24 - November 21, Sagittarius (Archer): November 22 - December 21 and Capricorn (Goat): December 22 - January 19.
An individual's "sun sign" is the sign they most often grew up knowing, regardless of having any other astrological knowledge. It also happens to be the sign HBO Max uses to determine which movies and TV shows its viewers will enjoy. Given that Gemini Season started a few days ago and Mercury is out of retrograde for a bit longer, there's a new slew of recommendations for the signs to begin streaming. For unstance, the platform suggests the most self-obsessed sign, otherwise known as Leo, should watch Game of Thrones, The Young Pope and Succession, while emotionally detached Aquarians should stream V For Vendetta, Desperately Seeking Susan and Westworld.
However, for anyone who deems themselves astrologically-inept, don't throw in the towel just yet. HBO Max's marketing team has the simplification of divination down to a science. By providing subscribers with a brief zodiac quiz (non-subscribers can also take the quiz for free), the platform gives users a description of their sun sign, in addition to several identifying personality characteristics. After answering a handful of questions, the reward is a specially curated selection of movie and TV recommendations, most of which are, unsurprisingly, HBO and HBO Max originals. Also, within Max Horoscopes, users gain access to a section that displays famous actors (and their movies), which have the sign of whichever zodiac season is currently going on.
Essentially, Max Horoscopes is the platform's answer to the traditional algorithm recommendations that other streaming services, such as Netflix, offer. Despite the 12 signs having different traits and characteristics, it's safe to say that HBO Max's latest marketing tactic is likely to entice casual subscribers who don't regularly use the service, even those who plan to use the new feature for the sole purpose of mocking.