'Max' To Launch 'CNN Max': 'A Quality Choice' For Streaming Service

CNN is set to return to the world of streaming.

The news network, which previously attempted a streaming presence with CNN+, has a new home on Max. HBO's streaming service, renamed from HBO Max earlier this year, is set to add news programming to its roster next month.

CNN Max will offer a selection of programming from the network as well as original programming exclusive to the streaming component. The Hollywood Reporter reveals CNN Max is looking to attract younger audiences rather than those viewers who receive their news in a more 'traditional' television format.

The CEO and President of Warner Brothers Discovery's Global Streaming and Games, JB Perrette, discussed the launch in a statement released earlier on Thursday morning.

"This provides even more quality choices for Max customers who will be able to easily catch up on what's happening in the world, particularly in moments of breaking news, all with one seamless experience. We're excited to engage with our Max community in this initial beta stage to help us learn and develop what appeals most to our customers in this new genre," Perrette's statement concluded.

CNN Max will come at no additional cost to Max subscribers.

The exclusive programming for CNN Max will include "CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta," "CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto," and programs from Rahel Solomon, Amara Walker, and Fredricka Whitfield. 'THR' also reports Sciutto will be at the helm of afternoon breaking news programming.

CNN Max will feature four notable pieces of programming.

Customers will be able to stream "The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer," "Amanpour," "The Lead With Jake Tapper," and "Anderson Cooper 360."

The component will launch next month, on September 27th.

CNN's attempt at a streaming service, CNN+, was suddenly shut down only one month after its launch last year.

According to our report, the network's former president, Chris Licht, announced the streaming service would fold in April. He would release a memo detailing the situation on X, which was Twitter at the time.

"Let me be clear," Licht stressed, "this move is in no way a reflection of the talented and hardworking people who poured their heart and soul into building and flawlessly launching CNN+ in a very short period of time. It is also not a reflection of the quality of the talent and content of CNN+, some of which will migrate to CNN's programming or some of the company's other networks" Licht continued. "The process for making these decisions is already underway and we will communicate to those affected as soon as possible," Licht went on to say.

"But most importantly," the statement continued, "we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for CNN+'s colleagues. As part of the transition plan, all CNN+ employees will continue to be paid and receive benefits for the next 90 days to explore opportunities at CNN, CNN Digital, and elsewhere in the Warner Bros. Discovery Family. At the end of that period, any departing CNN+ employees will receive a minimum of six months severance (depending on length of service at CNN)," the memo concluded.

Critics would call the move out, including journalist and author Shaun King.

King would condemn Licht in a Facebook post that has since been removed.

He wrote in the post, "I wanna talk about the space white people, particularly white men, are given to FAIL and the money they are given to blow through, with little more than a giggle. CNN+ blew through nearly $300 million for less than a month of service. That's $300, 000, ooo."

King would also reveal "I never met a single person who thought it would work."

"My low budget podcast literally has more daily listeners than CNN+ had," King continued. "Same thing happened with Quibi, which blew through $1.75 BILLION  in less than six months and shut down. And all the leaders from Quibi, and all the leaders from CNN+, will all land right on their feet and keep on working in the industry."

"I started the North Star ON MY CREDIT CARDS, with no outside investors, or equity, or loans, or debt, and every single decision I ever made was scrutinized," King explained. "The same is true of every project I've ever been a part of. I can name 50 Black entrepreneurs who will tell you the same story. And when they failed, with 1% of the money, sometimes YEARS later, people treated it like a sandal- not a normal thing that happens in business," King went on to say.

"All I am proposing is that we give Black men and women in business the same space to experiment and fail like our white counterparts,' King would conclude.