One of television’s greatest dramas is finally getting its moment on a major streaming platform in premium quality. Warner Bros. Discovery announced that all seven seasons and 92 episodes of Mad Men will arrive on HBO Max on December 1, 2025, marking the first time the iconic AMC series has been available in 4K resolution.
The announcement represents a significant victory for fans who have struggled to access this critically acclaimed drama on major streaming platforms since it departed Netflix in June 2020. For over five years, Mad Men has been relegated to smaller services like AMC+, making this shift to HBO Max a major development in the streaming landscape.
The 4K Upgrade Changes Everything
The most exciting element of this deal is that Mad Men will debut in 4K resolution for the first time since its original broadcast, a decision that makes perfect sense given the show’s legendary cinematography and production design.
The 1960s advertising world of Mad Men has always been defined by its meticulous visual palette—from the impeccable costume design to the carefully curated Manhattan skylines and intricately detailed office interiors. A 4K presentation will showcase these elements with unprecedented clarity, allowing viewers to appreciate the artistry that made the show’s visual storytelling so distinctive.
Royce Battleman, Executive Vice President of Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed enthusiasm about the upgrade:
“Mad Men is a great addition to the HBO Max library of iconic content. We are thrilled that HBO Max will provide fans the opportunity to enjoy the series in a fresh way with an enhanced 4K viewing experience.”
Jim Packer, President of Worldwide Television Distribution at Lionsgate Television, the production company behind the series, added:
“Mad Men continues to show truly remarkable staying power with audiences a full decade after concluding its network run, and we couldn’t imagine a better home for it than HBO Max. HBO sets the bar for premium entertainment, making it the perfect place to celebrate one of television’s defining series while introducing Mad Men to new viewers and reintroducing it to longtime fans in 4K.”
Why This Matters: The Streaming Wars Context
The arrival of Mad Men on HBO Max demonstrates the complex nature of streaming rights in television. Despite Mad Men originally airing on AMC, the rights to the series are held by Lionsgate Television, not AMC itself.
This explains why the show wasn’t included when Netflix recently secured major AMC programming deals, and why it remained available primarily through AMC+ for years despite its iconic status.
The HBO Max deal represents a major licensing victory, bringing one of the most acclaimed dramas of the 21st century to a platform with over 60 million subscribers globally.
Mad Men’s Legendary Legacy
Created by Matthew Weiner, Mad Men aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015 and fundamentally changed television history. The series won a record-tying four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, earning 16 Emmy wins total and an astounding 116 nominations—one of the most acclaimed television shows in history.
The drama follows Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the creative director at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, as he navigates the glamorous and morally complex world of 1960s Madison Avenue advertising while his personal life crumbles around him.
The ensemble cast includes powerhouse performances from Vincent Kartheiser, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Parè, and John Slattery.
Jon Hamm won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of Don Draper, cementing his place among television’s greatest performers.
Where to Watch Mad Men
HBO Max (Available Starting December 1, 2025):
HBO Max Premium subscribers in the United States can stream all 92 episodes in 4K resolution beginning December 1. Standard subscribers can watch in standard definition.
Current Availability Before December 1:
United States: AMC+ (subscription required), Amazon Prime Video (with Prime membership or standalone purchase)
United Kingdom: Amazon Prime Video, Sky, MGM+, Freevee
Australia: Netflix (international territories including Australia have the series)
Physical Media:
Blu-ray collections of Mad Men are available for purchase, though the 4K versions will be limited to the HBO Max streaming platform for now
The Perfect Time for a Marathon
With 92 episodes across seven seasons, Mad Men represents an ideal holiday binge-watch. The show’s exploration of ambition, morality, identity, and the human condition transcends its 1960s setting, making it as relevant today as it was during its original run.
The timing of the HBO Max launch on December 1 positions Mad Men perfectly alongside other prestige content on the platform, allowing viewers to fit the series into their holiday viewing schedule between other December releases.
Why Now? The Broader Strategy
HBO Max has been strategically acquiring classic and acclaimed dramas to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive streaming market. The addition of Mad Men complements the platform’s existing library of prestigious content, including The Sopranos (also created by Matthew Weiner), The Wire, and other HBO originals.
By securing Mad Men, HBO is positioning itself as the definitive home for prestige dramatic television, reinforcing its brand identity as a platform for quality over quantity.
Looking Forward
The 4K remaster of Mad Men sets a precedent for how legacy content might be revitalized for streaming audiences. As streaming platforms increasingly acquire older content, providing enhanced versions—whether through 4K upgrades or Dolby Atmos audio—becomes a valuable differentiation strategy.
This approach also benefits longtime fans who may have watched the series on its original AMC broadcast or through previous streaming platforms. For them, a 4K rewatch offers a fresh perspective on cinematography and production design they may have missed in standard definition.
Whether you’re discovering Mad Men for the first time or revisiting this modern classic, December 1 represents an ideal opportunity to experience one of television’s defining achievements in the format it deserves.
