CNN will discontinue its 24/7 live news stream, CNN Max, on HBO Max effective November 17, 2025, as it gears up to launch a new standalone streaming subscription service this fall, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
HBO Max will continue offering CNN Originals like Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, and The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.
The CNN Max livestream, integrated into HBO Max about two years ago, provided valuable insights into viewer preferences, said Alex MacCallum, CNN’s EVP of digital products and services. “We’ve learned what resonates most with HBO Max’s subscriber base, and we’re excited to apply those insights to our new streaming offering, growing our audience with a unique product,” MacCallum stated.
Announced in May 2025, CNN’s forthcoming subscription service will combine live programming with on-demand content, building on its existing $3.99/month digital subscription (launched October 2024) that provides access to CNN.com articles and exclusive content. While a fall 2025 launch is targeted, specifics on the exact date, pricing, and programming lineup remain undisclosed.
The new service arrives amid significant changes for CNN and WBD, which plans to split into two publicly traded entities by April 2026: one for its cable businesses (including CNN) and another for its studio and streaming operations. Despite these shifts, CNN reported robust audience growth in September 2025, with a 10% month-over-month increase in minutes per viewer across its U.S. digital platforms, per Comscore data.