Diya Majumdar
When HBO Max launched in May 2020, the streaming platform provided the combined best of its predecessor, HBO, Warner Bros., and additionally incorporated television shows, blockbuster movies, and Max Originals. The service received by the subscribers was exceptional in terms of the quality of content. In the two years that HBO Max has existed, it has made headlines for its groundbreaking audience reach and lucrative original shows.
Related article: HBO Shows That Deserve More Love Than Game of Thrones
HBO Max to Kick Several Originals Off the Platform
The standalone streaming platform has been known for its incredible host of series favorites. However, in the aftermath of AT&T’s merger with Discovery, the newly minted Warner Bros. Discovery is taking the initiative to make several radical and unorthodox changes throughout its subsidiaries. And that includes production juggernauts like Warner Bros. alongside streaming services like HBO Max.
The CEO and President of Warner Bros. Discovery, David Zaslav, under whose wing HBO Max now operates, has stepped foot inside the company with plans that define the long-term vision for the same. And as such, shows like Mao Mao, Infinity Train, Ellen’s Next Great Designer, and OK KO (to name a few) are leaving HBO Max this very week, along with numerous other Max Originals.
Internet Rains Criticism at WBD Chief David Zaslav
The head honcho, David Zaslav, has not made the decision to be the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery lightly. He came in with guns blazing and one of the very first decisions he executed was to shelve the $90 million DCEU film, Batgirl. The cancellation not only faced angered reception but Zaslav was called out for making a decision in bad faith and has even been called an imbecile by a member of the cast and crew of Batgirl.
Here’s how Twitter has been reacting to the recent announcement of the booting of Max Originals from its own platform.
HBO Max really went from being one of if not the most beloved streaming service to being a broken mess in less than 2 years. pic.twitter.com/JfVINfZdlb
— Alberto Herrera #NewDeal4Animation (@Alberto9Herrera) August 18, 2022
Oh god.
Shows leaving HBO Max THIS WEEK:
– Aquaman: King of Atlantis
– Close Enough
– Dodo
– Elliott from Earth
– Esme & Roy
– The Fungies
– Infinity Train
– Little Ellen
– Mao Mao
– Messy Goes to Okido
– Mia's Magic Playground
– Mighty Magiswords
– Odo
– OK KO— CN News/Schedules (@CNschedules) August 17, 2022
Considering David Zaslav filled Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and The Learning Channel with reality shows and outright killed Discovery Kids YEARS prior to the Warner Bros merger, and is now doing the same to their stuff, I am not surprised, and I say he should be blacklisted
— That Dino Nerd, The Mentally Exhausted (@zilla1997) August 18, 2022
Give Netflix SOME credit, at least it took them a good 10-ish years before making business-destroying decisions.
— KyProRen (@KyProRen) August 18, 2022
Tax write-offs, not enough ppl watching so they pulled them. The service was never there for your convivence, it's there to make money, they'll continue to do this till the entire service starts underperforming financially, eventually pulling the plug on it. It's super scummy
— rev (@Revomatic) August 18, 2022
It's so sad pic.twitter.com/YSi8J8GyrO
— H.D.Frankenstein (@HDFrankenstein) August 18, 2022
What's the point of having original series when half of them just leave?
— LiamToonFan 🇺🇦 (@LiamToonFan1) August 18, 2022
Now, Disney+/Hulu are the better streaming service. Netflix and HBOmax however, are falling apart.
— Nathaniel (he/they) ❤️🏳️🌈 (@duckadoodledooo) August 18, 2022
Even before overtaking responsibility of WarnerMedia, the CEO had been in charge of Discovery and that platform received a somewhat similar treatment as well. The television channel that was originally known for its nature documentaries or children’s shows became filled with reality tv and entertainment programs that spelled the downfall of one of television’s best channels.
On the other hand, the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery was a business deal made to be profitable and given the slew of radical changes being made at the company, one can only wonder whether these decisions are not made keeping in mind the survival of the company’s future.
Source: Twitter
