Max, the streaming service previously known as HBO Max, is set to launch 24/7 live streaming news with the upcoming addition of “CNN Max.” Starting on September 27 in the U.S., viewers will have access to live content from CNN US, CNN International, and other original programming. This new feature will be launched in beta mode and will allow Max subscribers to access continuous news coverage and original content.
The new offering will include programming tailored for the Max audience, including shows like “CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, Rahel Solomon, Amara Walker, and Fredricka Whitfield” and “CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto.” Jim Sciutto will also lead breaking news coverage during the afternoons.
Max subscribers will be able to watch live news, originals, and over 900 episodes of current and legacy content under the rebranded “CNN Max” section. Notable programs such as “Amanpour,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” and “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” will be available.
The CNN Originals hub on Max will be rebranded as CNN Max, and users can access this content from the top navigation bar under the new “News Beta” tab.
This move by Max follows the shutdown of CNN+, a standalone streaming news service that struggled to attract viewers. Max aims to leverage the CNN brand within its broader entertainment-focused streaming solution. Other streaming services, like Paramount+, have also combined news offerings with their entertainment content.
Despite subscriber losses following the rebrand to Max, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is optimistic about achieving streaming profitability by 2025. JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, expressed excitement about the addition of CNN Max, emphasizing its 24/7 news coverage from CNN, a leading global news organization. He highlighted the significance of CNN Max’s availability on a scaled streaming service in the U.S., catering to a younger and additive audience compared to traditional TV.
While the transition from HBO Max to Max may have initially caused some subscriber confusion and overlap, the integration of CNN Max’s news offerings could attract a broader audience and enhance the streaming service’s value proposition.
