Six HBO television series have been removed from the streaming service HBO Max. The distinction between HBO proper and HBO Max has been complicated since the inception of the streaming service in May 2020. HBO is the cable network that produces many popular series, including Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City. Although HBO is already a pay network, they introduced HBO Max as a way for fans to access the HBO and Warner Bros. library as well as a home for new original series including Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and And Just Like That. Throughout 2021, they also offered streaming access to new Warner Bros. and Legendary film titles, including Dune: Part One and The Suicide Squad, during the first month of their theatrical run.
There has been a major shakeup at HBO Max over the last few days, however. Following Warner Bros.' merger with Discovery and the new oversight from CEO David Zaslav, there have been major changes coming to the platform at a rapid rate. In addition to canceling the $90 million DC project Batgirl (which was already in post-production) and the sequel to the animated film Scoob!, which was also near completion, several films that were previously HBO Max exclusives like The Witches and Locked Down were quietly removed from the service.
Per TVLine, 6 shows from the HBO library have been surreptitiously removed from HBO Max. This includes the 1970s drama Vinyl, which starred Bobby Cannavale as a record executive, and Mrs. Fletcher, a Tom Perrotta adaptation starring Kathryn Hahn as a divorcée who attempts to rekindle her love life after her son goes away to college. The other shows that have disappeared are Run, Here and Now, K Street, and At Home with Amy Sedaris.
It is important to note that none of the shows that have vanished from the site are HBO Max originals, so for the time being those titles seem safe. However, the futures of any of those programs are still potentially in jeopardy, considering that previously exclusive films have already disappeared, as well as the recent announcement that HBO Max may stop producing scripted television. Although currently renewed shows like Peacemaker are reportedly moving forward, this is a time of flux for all content on the platform.
The drama around HBO Max will certainly continue for quite some time. The dust has not yet settled, and it's possible that, for instance, the Batgirl team will be able to negotiate a place for their nearly finished project. However, it certainly seems to be the case that the HBO Max that comes out of this situation will look very different from the HBO Max of just a couple of days ago.
Source: TVLine