Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform Max will soon introduce 24/7 live news from CNN as part of an open beta in the U.S. that will experiment with new features and content while seeking feedback from subscribers. CNN Max plans to launch on September 27 with programming from CNN US, CNN International and original programming produced for Max. News programming and original series will be available across all Max packages, which includes Max With Ads, Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The beta test will be evaluated and fine-tuned “before being rolled out more broadly,” according to WBD.

The launch of CNN Max comes after CNN+, a standalone streaming news service developed under CNN’s previous ownership and launched after Discovery purchased AT&T’s entertainment assets, “struggled to attract viewers,” reports TechCrunch. The service announced it was shutting down at the end of April 2022.

WBD “said it believed customers would be better served by a ‘simpler streaming choice’ — a suggestion that the CNN brand would be better leveraged within a broader streaming solution,” TechCrunch writes, noting that “Max would not be the first to go this route” as Paramount+ has partnered with CBSN to live stream news and NBCU’s Peacock offers MSNBC and NBC News fare.

According to the press release, the new hub will include programming tailored to the Max audience with content such as “CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, Rahel Solomon, Amara Walker and Fredricka Whitfield,” and “CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto.” Sciutto will also be the lead for afternoon breaking news.

Other established shows included in the lineup are “Amanpour,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” “The Lead with Jake Tapper” and “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

CNN Max will also showcase CNN’s catalog of original series, like the Emmy Award-winning “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” and “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.” Series developed for CNN+ will also be made available.

“Warner Bros. Discovery executives, including chief executive David Zaslav, have talked about how they believe live news will allow them to distinguish the Max streaming service from others, such as Netflix,” CNN reports. “When the Max service was unveiled in April, Zaslav hinted that news and sports programming will factor into the service in the future.”

Related:
CNN Taps Anchors for Original Streaming Shows on Max, Variety, 8/23/23
Max Will Launch a 24/7 CNN Stream for All Subscribers Next Month, The Verge, 8/24/23