Max Streaming Service Removing Sports and News from Basic Tier

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max streaming service recently made an announcement that has some big implications. They’re shaking things up a bit by moving sports and news content off the basic, ad-supported tier and onto higher tiers of the service. This means that from March 30 onwards, CNN Max news and B-R Sports offerings won’t be available on the cheapest $9.99-a-month tier anymore, but instead will be part of the Standard and Premium tiers.

The decision to make this change was a result of their ongoing efforts to better understand how users engage with sports and news on Max, as well as their desire to invest more in their premium sports and news portfolio. The move is part of their larger goal to exceed 150 million subscribers globally and expand internationally.

On the sports side, B-R Sports includes a range of content such as NBA and women’s Unrivaled league basketball, MLB baseball, parts of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, and more. They originally planned to charge an additional fee for sports content, but have decided not to pursue that path at this time. Some NBA games will be moving to other providers after this season due to new league contracts.

In terms of news, Max offers CNN live feed and a variety of on-demand programming featuring popular CNN personalities like Anderson Cooper and Kate Bolduan. They also have original shows like Have I Got News For You with comedians Roy Wood Jr., Amber Ruffin, and Michael Ian Black, and award-winning programs like Real Time with Bill Maher and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

This change is not just about content – it’s also a strategic move to keep up with the evolving media landscape. The recent $70 million investment in CNN’s digital transition highlights the importance of adapting to these changes. By focusing on digital platforms and streaming options, Warner Bros. Discovery is positioning itself for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market.

And hey, it seems like the market is responding positively to these moves, with Warner Bros. Discovery shares seeing an 11% increase after the announcement. So, if you’re a Max subscriber, get ready for some exciting changes in the coming weeks!