After the failed launch of a standalone news platform, Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans for news hub on its streaming service, Max. According to TV Line, 24/7 news programming will be added to the streaming platform as CNN Max. It will include both current and new programming.
CNN Max will become available for current Max subscribers on Wednesday, September 27 at no extra cost, via TV Line. All three subscription tiers will receive the new hub featuring platform-specific programming. Known CNN anchors such as Amara Walker, Fredericka Whitfield, Rahel Solomon, Jim Acosta, and Jim Sciutto will appear in CNN Newsroom. Scuitto will also host breaking news in the afternoons.
The streaming content will be paired with familiar CNN fare such as The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper 360, Amanpour, and The Lead with Jake Tapper. Accoring to TV Line, the current Max option CNN Originals will become CNN Max.
“As we laid out at our launch only a few months ago, our vision for Max is to be ‘The One to Watch’ for all members of a household,” JB Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, said via TV Line. “We have the broadest and highest quality entertainment offering, and now will include world-leading news as a meaningful addition for all Max subscribers, at no extra charge. CNN Max is differentiated by having 24/7 news at its core from CNN, the leading global news organization, and being available on a scaled streaming service in the U.S., which has a significantly younger and additive audience compared to traditional TV. This provides even more quality choices for Max customers who will be able to easily catch up on what is happening in the world, particularly in moments of breaking news, all within one seamless experience. We’re excited to engage our Max community in this initial beta stage to help us learn and develop what appeals most to our customers in this new genre.”
It was only 16 months ago that CNN+, WBD’s standalone news streaming service, ended after only four weeks of operations, via TV Line. It was followed by the exit of CNN’s former CEO, Chris Licht.