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HBO Max faces backlash over mad men 4K remaster blunder

Dec 2, 2025, 10:52 PM20
(Update: Dec 3, 2025, 4:52 PM)
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HBO Max faces backlash over mad men 4K remaster blunder

  • HBO Max released a 4K remastered version of the series Mad Men on December 2, 2025.
  • Viewers spotted multiple problems, including visible crew members in the background during a key scene.
  • The mishap resulted from Lionsgate supplying the wrong digital files to HBO Max, leading to significant viewer backlash.
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In the United States, HBO Max released a 4K remastered version of the acclaimed drama series Mad Men on December 2, 2025, a decade after the show concluded its seven-season run. The publication of this upgraded version was intended to attract both old fans and new viewers by enhancing the viewing experience with improved picture quality. However, the launch was marred by significant production errors. One of the most glaring issues was that crew members were visible in a scene from Season 1, Episode 7, titled 'Red in the Face,' where Roger Sterling is depicted vomiting on the office floor after indulging in oysters. This mishap occurred because Lionsgate, the show's production company, purportedly supplied HBO Max with the wrong digital files for the remastering process. Following the backlash from fans, who were quick to express disappointment on various social media platforms, it became clear that the 4K version lacked the necessary post-production edits that had previously removed such visible crew interventions from the scenes. Additional complaints emerged about episodes being mislabeled and presented out of their original order, compounding the frustrations of the show's dedicated fanbase. In response to the uproar, sources indicated that Lionsgate was working diligently to rectify the situation by providing HBO Max with the correct files to replace the erroneous content. Despite these issues, it was noted that there were no problems with the HD versions of Mad Men being streamed on HBO Max. The situation serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls associated with remastering beloved shows for modern audiences, with many viewers lamenting the pervasive use of digital technologies that can sometimes fail to deliver the expected quality of content. As the streaming service continues to evolve and expand its catalog, this incident highlights the importance of quality control and careful oversight in the remastering process to maintain the integrity of classic television shows.

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