Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service, HBO Max, has provoked outrage among dedicated fans of the acclaimed series Mad Men following a disastrous 4K remastered re-release. The platform, which recently acquired streaming rights, launched the visually enhanced version a decade after the show's finale, only to be met with widespread criticism for a slew of embarrassing technical blunders.
A Botched Enhancement
Released on Monday, the remaster was intended to offer a premium viewing experience for the Emmy-winning drama, which originally aired on AMC between 2007 and 2015. The series, starring Jon Hamm as enigmatic ad man Don Draper, was a critical darling, winning four consecutive Emmy awards for Best Drama at its peak.
However, the promise of a fresh, high-definition experience quickly soured. Viewers immediately began spotting glaring errors that should have been caught in post-production. In one notorious example from season one's seventh episode, a scene where Roger Sterling (John Slattery) succumbs to oyster-induced illness is ruined by the clear sight of two crew members operating a vomit machine in the background.
Fan Backlash and Industry Speculation
The reaction on social media and forums like Reddit was swift and severe. Fans expressed disbelief at the amateurish oversights, which also included episodes being mislabeled and shown out of order in the first season. Many questioned how such a high-profile project could be handled so poorly.
"I literally thought this was a joke," one exasperated fan posted online. Others speculated that corporate cost-cutting and an over-reliance on automated tools were to blame. "It's what happens when you reduce teams to skeleton crews and rely on batching tools + AI to complete complex tasks," one commenter theorised. "No one is around to verify that work."
The Source of the Problem
According to a report from Vulture, the issue may stem from a logistical error rather than a technical one. A source familiar with the situation indicated that HBO Max received incorrect master files from Lionsgate Television, which holds the distribution rights. The outlet reported that Lionsgate is now working to supply the correct files so the flawed episodes can be replaced promptly.
Warner Bros. Discovery had initially heralded the acquisition. Royce Battleman, EVP of global content acquisitions, had stated the company was "thrilled" to offer fans an "enhanced 4K viewing experience." The Independent has contacted both HBO Max and Lionsgate Television for further comment on the remediation timeline.
