Advanced Television

‘HBO Max Recommends’ skill on Alexa

May 19, 2021

HBO Max, the US streaming service, has announced the launch of the ‘HBO Max Recommends’ skill for Alexa, an interactive voice-first discovery service allowing users the opportunity to quickly browse and swipe yes or no on titles from across the HBO Max library.

Available immediately on Alexa-enabled devices, ‘HBO Max Recommends’ is a solution for users looking for something to watch and who would like a little guidance from HBO Max and Alexa. To build their personalised watchlists, users begin by saying “Alexa, open HBO Max Recommends” followed by answering a series of verbal yes or no questions that highlight HBO Max’s curated content selection. They can filter recommendations by genre or ask for show descriptions, character lists, and other useful information for hundreds of select titles.

For family and friends watching together in the same room, ‘HBO Max Recommends’ has a multiplayer mode that interacts with up to three co-viewers, ultimately curating a list of recommendations that aims to satisfy all members of the group. Once a session is complete, HBO Max Recommends will text them their list with links to stream the content on HBO Max.

“HBO Max continues to build on its mission of providing fun and interactive experiences to fans with their skill ‘HBO Max Recommends,’” said Jason Mulderig, SVP Brand Marketing, HBO Max and HBO. “Working with Amazon and adding this additional avenue of content discovery is another way we’re enhancing our customers’ overall viewing experience.”

Programming options range from classic HBO Originals like “Game of Thrones” and “The Sopranos,” to beloved comedies like “Insecure,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” to even more TV favorites like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Friends,” to new Max Originals like “Love Life,” “Selena + Chef,” and “The Flight Attendant,” to epic movies and more.

The ‘HBO Max Recommends’ skill for Alexa will also include ‘Spotlight Sessions’, a human-curated list of ten titles related to current and upcoming holidays, events, anniversaries, and premieres.

“We are so proud to work with HBO Max to launch the ‘HBO Max Recommends’ skill for Alexa and reach HBO Max users—and their family and friends—with a simplified, fun and satisfying journey as they decide what to stream from HBO Max’s premier catalogue,” said Steve Bernstein, director of Alexa Skills at Amazon. “We look forward to seeing how fans respond to and engage with this new offering with HBO Max Recommends as their guide.”

HBO Max is scheduled to launch an ad-supported subscription tier and to begin its global expansion across 39 territories in Latin America next month.

Categories: AI, Articles, Middleware, Search/Recommendation

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