In a significant shift for its streaming service, Max, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, has removed CNN Max—including its 24/7 live news channel—from its ad-supported subscription tier. Starting March 30, 2025, subscribers on the basic with-ads plan will no longer have access to the live CNN content that had been a staple of the service since its debut in September 2023. To continue enjoying CNN Max’s round-the-clock news feed and exclusive programming, viewers will now need to upgrade to one of Max’s ad-free plans, either the Standard tier at $17 per month or the Premium tier at $21 per month, as was annoucned back in February.
The decision, confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery late Monday, ends a nearly two-year run of offering CNN Max to all Max subscribers, regardless of plan type. Initially launched as part of an “open beta” to bring live news to the platform, CNN Max featured a blend of programming from CNN US and CNN International, alongside original shows tailored for streaming audiences, such as CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta and The Lead with Jake Tapper. The service had been a unique draw for Max, setting it apart in a crowded streaming landscape by combining prestige entertainment with real-time news at no additional cost.
A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson explained the change as part of a broader strategy to refine Max’s offerings. “We’re committed to delivering the highest value to our subscribers,” the statement read. “By reserving CNN Max and its live news capabilities for our Standard and Premium plans, we’re enhancing the ad-free experience while continuing to provide a robust entertainment catalog across all tiers.” The move also aligns with recent adjustments to Max’s sports content, which saw live B/R Sports events similarly restricted to ad-free plans starting March 30, 2025.
For ad-supported subscribers, the loss of CNN Max’s live feed means reliance on alternative news sources or on-demand CNN Originals, like The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, which will remain available across all plans. However, the removal of the 24/7 channel has sparked frustration among some users who valued the convenience of accessing breaking news alongside Max’s entertainment lineup.
The shift comes as Warner Bros. Discovery continues to navigate the evolving streaming market and its news division’s digital future. CNN Max had been touted as a successor to the short-lived CNN+ service, which shuttered in 2022 after just weeks of operation. Unlike its predecessor, CNN Max leveraged Max’s existing infrastructure to reach a broader audience at a lower entry cost. However, restricting live news to higher-tier plans suggests a pivot toward premiumization, potentially aimed at boosting revenue amid competitive pressures.
Subscribers on the ad-supported tier, priced at $9.99 per month, can still access Max’s extensive library of HBO originals, Warner Bros. films, and Discovery content, but those seeking the immediacy of CNN’s live coverage will now face a paywall. To upgrade, users can visit max.com to adjust their plans, with the change taking effect immediately for new subscribers and at the next billing cycle for current ones. As streaming services increasingly bundle and tier their offerings, Max’s latest move underscores the growing divide between basic and premium experiences in the digital entertainment space.
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