HBO Max Content Disappearing As We Speak: Here's What's Happening
Concerned, streaming platform subscribers got to social media to voice their displeasure with HBO Max ahead of long-awaited 'House of the Dragon' premiere.
If everyone's talking about HBO Max tonight, it's, sadly, not because of 'Game of Thrones ' prequel premiere. HBO Max is trending on Twitter right now after removing some of its content, and people are definitely noticing. Everything from 'Sesame Street' old episodes to 'Close Enough' seems to disappear randomly, and people are understandably concerned. However, there's a very simple reason for HBO Max content disappearing, and it is imminent Discovery merger.
Have you been noticing recently just how many various streaming platforms there actually are? Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+, Peacock, Paramount+ and yes, HBO Max just to name a few. Well, in the nearest future this list will get just a bit shorter: HBO Max is merging with Discovery, so there'll be just one single platform. That's why, apparently, HBO Max has been quietly removing content – to get everything ready for one single streaming catalogue.
"Remember when the promise of streaming was an endless library where even niche shows would be watchable forever? Now b/c of the merger, HBO Max is DELETING dozens of shows, just to save $ on taxes and residuals. A needless, shameful waste." – @adamconover
According to Variety, in the upcoming weeks HBO Max's catalogue will end up missing dozens of titles; 36 titles, Including 20 originals, will be removed from streaming because of the merger. Needless to say, people are not happy about it. More so: some are really, genuinely hurt because of what's happening to HBO Max streaming catalogue right now. Like, for example, one unlucky fan who was in the middle of watching 'Infinity Train' when it was deleted off the streaming platform.
"I was in the middle of rewatching it, i was on s1e7 when i got the media not found error and discovered that it was gone. I genuinely started crying." – @eddicherrycola
It's not the first time nor will it be the last time shows getting cancelled and disappearing from a streaming platform. However, those who are already hurt by HBO Max "purge" remind everyone why this is happening right now and whose responsibility it is.
"This industry has always been tough; generations of artists have had their shows cancelled. But let's be clear: these deletions are happening SOLELY because of the merger. Consumers hurt; artists tossed aside; money set on fire. The ONLY people who benefit are those at the top." – @adamconover