Now Introducing HBO Max Classic

[CaptainWagner]

Man, not TCM. He's going to make the TCM name as relevant as the TLC name, isn't he?

They're going to send the MILFs into the Criterion Closet.

 

[samsnee]

I understand cutting costs but what exactly will entice people to subscribe when all the content is barebones?

George R. R. Martin: Game of Thrones Shows 'Impacted' by HBO Changes - Variety

 

[Comicbookguy339]

I understand cutting costs but what exactly will entice people to subscribe when all the content is barebones?

George R. R. Martin: Game of Thrones Shows 'Impacted' by HBO Changes - Variety

I think it's pretty clear Zaslav has given up on the streaming wars. He's happy to retain the subscriber base the current Discovery service has and that's pretty much it.

 

[squeekness]

I understand cutting costs but what exactly will entice people to subscribe when all the content is barebones?

George R. R. Martin: Game of Thrones Shows 'Impacted' by HBO Changes - Variety

It certainly does make it harder to want to pay....

 

[Primal Slayer]

The fact that HBO (max) has such a hard time franchising is....the most WB thing ever. Paramount has found success with Star Trek now, Avatar is gearing up...Disney obvy has Star Wars and so many, Netflix has Witcher somewhat, yet they cant franchise GoT outside of 1 show at a time years apart?

 

[Prison Mike]

I would rather they take their time to find the right projects within GoT franchise than to just rush and green light a bunch of things. The quality of those other franchises by the streaming services has been debatable.

 

[Sithborg]

The fact that HBO (max) has such a hard time franchising is....the most WB thing ever. Paramount has found success with Star Trek now, Avatar is gearing up...Disney obvy has Star Wars and so many, Netflix has Witcher somewhat, yet they cant franchise GoT outside of 1 show at a time years apart?

The problem is WBD is cash strapped. Leveraged buyouts really screw with your ability to invest in the company, because of all the debt We are seeing what happened to Toys R Us happen to a media company.

 

[CaptainWagner]

I understand cutting costs but what exactly will entice people to subscribe when all the content is barebones?

George R. R. Martin: Game of Thrones Shows 'Impacted' by HBO Changes - Variety

They are so incredibly bad at this. But that's what happens when your company is run by people who have zero interest in what you're supposed to be selling. People who literally called scripted TV a fad.

And I guarantee the ones that got shelved are the Sea Snake and Nymeria series. Ain't no way Zaslav is investing in a major fantasy series with POC leads.

 

[Ninjablade]

As someone who regularly revisits Looney Tunes, this sucks. Not surprised though.

 

[Arachnerd]

What an absolutely delightful way to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

As someone who regularly revisits Looney Tunes, this sucks. Not surprised though.

And then they'll be cutting Dexter's Lab, Powerpuff Girls and all the other OG cartoons too. Throw this whole damn service away.

 

[-Arya-]

As someone who regularly revisits Looney Tunes, this sucks. Not surprised though.

Time to exit. It’s been good while it lasted.

 

[Drizzle]

Zaslav needs to get Chapek'ed yesterday.

 

[lespaul59]

After finding out about everything they're pulling off HBO Max especially Justice League and Justice League Unlimited I think I'm cancelling until House of the Dragon season 2.

How do the DVD versions of JL compare to the Blu Rays?

 

[DarkKnight88]

I'm glad I own my very own copy of everything classic that I care about lol

 

[Scarlet Spider]

This is why physical media is so important. I cherish my BTAS box set even more now.

 

[Kane52630]

As someone who regularly revisits Looney Tunes, this sucks. Not surprised though.

 

[Comicbookguy339]

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Comicbookguy339]

And a more detailed update on Looney Tunes


"The “Looney Tunes” and “Flintstones” content was licensed to HBO Max from Warner Bros. under an intra-company deal. Those licensing agreements expired at the end of 2022 and HBO Max did not renew them, as it seeks to reduce content expenses. It’s unclear whether the “Looney Tunes” and “Flintstones” content that is no longer on HBO Max will be available other streaming platforms.

HBO Max’s removal of the “Looney Tunes” shorts was reported Dec. 31 by a Twitter account called The Cartoon News. In a follow-up post Monday, the account said without citing a source that the “Looney Tunes” clips were “removed temporarily due to a maintenance check to fix the photoshop titles” and that “they will be returning to HBO Max soon.” A source familiar with HBO Max told Variety that the “Looney Tunes” shorts will not, in fact, be coming back to the service."

 

[squeekness]

Maybe not enough people were watching them to make it worth it?

 

[Prison Mike]

Maybe not enough people were watching them to make it worth it?

Most likely

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Warner Bros. Discovery CFO: Restructuring, Write-Off Frenzy Is Over - Variety

2024 is the first year they can legally sell off the company.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

To think, I was optimistic that one day The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, the OG Jonny Quest and Captain Planet would come on HBO Max.

Pipe dream.

 

[Sithborg]

Maybe not enough people were watching them to make it worth it?

WBD is cash strapped. It is an indication that they can't even pay themselves for their own content. I understand this may not make much sense to people, but it is a key factor in how WBD is organized. HBO Max is its own separate company (yes, even separate from HBO, gotta love that brand confusion). And it is important to have these type of inter-conglomerate deals, because it helps give money to those involved in said content. Especially older stuff.

I honestly have no idea what is going to happen when the merge happens. I'm honestly thinking Zaslav may not either. I'm beginning to suspect that it won't happen.