HBO Max subscribers will no longer be able to watch CNN from the streaming platform as of November 17, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) informed customers today.
After this date, HBO Max subscribers will still be able to watch some CNN content, including shows and documentaries, on demand.
The CNN Max livestream for HBO Max launched as an open beta in September 2023. Since then, it has featured live programming from CNN's US arm and CNN International, as well as content made specifically for HBO Max.
WBD is pulling HBO Max's CNN channel as it prepares to launch a standalone CNN streaming service, inevitably introducing more fragmentation to the burgeoning streaming industry. The streaming service is supposed to launch this fall and provide access to original CNN programing and journalism, including “a selection of live channels, catch-up features, and video-on-demand programming," a May announcement said.
In a statement today, Alex MacCallum, EVP of digital products and services for CNN, said:
CNN has benefitted tremendously from its two years of offering a live 24/7 feed of news to HBO Max customers. We learned from HBO Max’s large base of subscribers what people want and enjoy the most from CNN, and with the launch of our own new streaming subscription offering coming later this fall, we look forward to building off that and growing our audience with this unique, new offering.
WBD will sell subscriptions to CNN's new streaming service as part of an "All Access" subscription that will include the ability to read paywalled articles on CNN's website.
The CNN cable network has been battling declining ratings since Donald Trump became president, putting more pressure on its upcoming streaming service. Removing CNN's live programming from HBO Max could help build demand and engagement for the new service.
This will be CNN's second attempt at its own streaming service. Its first, CNN+, lasted from March 29 to April 28, 2022, making it the shortest-lived video streaming service ever. Explaining the service's closure at the time, J.B. Perrette, who is currently CEO and president of global streaming and games at WBD, said, "In a complex streaming market, consumers want simplicity and an all-in[-one] service which provides a better experience and more value than stand-alone offerings." Clearly, WBD has reevaluated this logic, especially after being able to beta test CNN streaming without the risks of operating a dedicated service.
Meanwhile, HBO Max subscribers will lose access to a prominent news source while continuing to pay the same price… for now. Last month, WBD CEO David Zaslav hinted at HBO Max price hikes, stating that he thinks HBO Max is currently “way underpriced.”
