HBO Max Quietly Drops More Titles, Animation Takes A Heavy Hit

After Netflix gutted their animation department and canceled a slew of their announced projects back in May, HBO Max appears to have taken the "hold my beer" approach and followed suit by absolutely gutting their own animated offerings on the platform. The streamer has already been quietly removing a number of films and series since the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, but today's announcement was an absolute bloodbath, with animated projects taking the brunt of it all. Nearly 40 titles either already have been or will be removed from HBO Max by the end of the week, including 20 HBO Max originals.

"As we work toward bringing our content catalogs together under one platform, we will be making changes to the content offering available on both HBO Max and discovery+," the streamer said in a statement. "That will include the removal of some content from both platforms."

Yeah, yeah, the official statement is cute and all, what with referring to fully produced series as "content," but it doesn't take into consideration how this decision is not just removing hours of animated (and unscripted, I don't want to gloss over their losses) entertainment, but also the results of countless hours and artistry from so many people.

We worked for 5 years to make 100 episodes of animation. We worked late into the night, we let ourselves go, we were a family of hard working artists who wanted to make something beautiful, and HBO MAX just pulled them all like we were nothing. Animation is not nothing!

— Julia Pott

Julia Pott, the creator of "Summer Camp Island" took to Twitter to express her frustrations, noting that her team spent five years making 100 episodes of animation, "and HBO Max just pulled them all like we were nothing." She ended her tweet with what feels like a rallying cry by saying, "Animation is not nothing!"

Blatant disrespect toward the animation industry
Nate, Jesse, and Lake in Infinity TrainHBO Max
The industry has a serious, serious problem with its treatment of animation. The Oscars incorrectly declared that animation was only something for children to enjoy and adults to endure during this year's broadcast, Hollywood A-listers continue to take away opportunities from seasoned voice-over artists in animated features, and now streamers are sending animated series into a void of nothingness as a means to write them off on their taxes. The entire entertainment industry is treating the world of animation like a public school cutting out arts programs to make way for a new football field.

"Tig 'n Seek" art director Levon Jihanian took to Twitter, imploring people to watch the show, saying this is probably the last chance. "Probably won't stream anywhere else. Absolutely infuriating," he wrote.

If you're my friend and still havent gotten around to watching Tig N' Seek, this is your last chance. Probably won't stream anywhere else. Absolutely infuriating.

— Levon Jihanian (@ForkFrenzy) August 18, 2022

Marie Lum, a storyboard artist and revisionist on "Aquaman: King of Atlantis" and "Infinity Train" tweeted "please watch our cartoons before [they're] removed this week. I see nearly my entire cartoon career being removed here on these lists, which is wild." She finished her post with a heartfelt message: "thanks for watching and supporting the things we make with love."

please watch our cartoons before theyre removed this week. i see nearly my entire cartoon career being removed here on these lists, which is wild. thanks for watching and supporting the things we make with love

— Marie Lum

Perhaps most disheartening is that many of the HBO Max originals will not have a life after they are removed from the platform. The idea that Warner Bros. Discovery would allow one of their competitors to pick up a show like "Tig n' Seek," "Infinity Train," or "Close Enough" is unlikely.

Today is a bleak day for animators and fans of animation, and it's hard not to think this could have been avoided if the industry had some respect for the people and projects that represent one of the most beloved mediums in all of entertainment.

However, there is one ray of hope: in a statement to The AV Club, Cartoon Network confirmed that "Victor & Valentino" and "Summer Camp Island" will continue to air on the cable network. The dates are currently TBD, but "fans can look forward to the remaining new episodes of both shows on CN this year."

All of the new titles being removed from HBO Max
Gweeseek and Tiggy in Tig 'n SeekHBO Max
Below are all of the titles being removed from HBO Max. While there's no news on where all (if any) of these titles will end up, there are a handful that will still be available on other streamers due to existing deals. "OK K.O.! – Let's Be Heroes," for example, is as of publication still available on Hulu, albeit in the wrong episode order.

A moment of silence for those that are getting tossed like table scraps, because someone with a ridiculous amount of power couldn't see the feast right before their very eyes.

HBO Max Original Programs
"12 Dates of Christmas"
"About Last Night"
"Aquaman: King of Atlantis"
"Close Enough
"Ellen's Next Great Designer"
"Esme & Roy"
"The Fungies!"
"Generation Hustle"
"Genera+ion"
"Infinity Train"
"Little Ellen"
"My Mom, Your Dad"
"Odo"
"Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness"
"Summer Camp Island"
"The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo" (and select "Sesame Street" specials)
"The Runaway Bunny"
"Theodosia"
"Tig n' Seek"
"Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs"
"My Dinner with Herve"

Cartoon Network Programs
"Dodo"
"Elliott From Earth"
"Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart"
"Mighty Magiswords"
"OK K.O.! – Let's Be Heroes"
"Uncle Grandpa"
"Victor and Valentino"

Additional Acquired Programs
"Detention Adventure"
"Messy Goes to Okido"
"Mia's Magic Playground"
"The Ollie & Moon Show"
"Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures"
"Make It Big, Make It Small"
"Squish"

Rumour: MultiChoice To Add A Further Two HD Channels To The Existing Rumoured Batch

Earlier in the month, MultiChoice had begun testing out the homegrown lifestyle channel The Home Channel from Arena Holdings and Christian channel TBN from the company of the same name known as Trinity Broadcasting Network for a possible HD feature.

After a few days, they've began adding two channels to the existing batch National Geographic and National Geographic Wild from The Walt Disney Company although children's brands Disney Channel and Disney Junior haven't been seen on the section just yet.

But from what most remembered The Walt Disney Company is moving their content to Disney+ therefore closing a further channels with about 100 channels planned to go off-air in the near future with Disney XD, FOX and FOX Life to have tragically joined the list.

So my question is why now especially when you know you'll have these channels for another year or two. Several consumers have demanded to have these channels in HD but were reluctant to get any of that.

And I'm certain several consumers will be more than happy now that their prayers have been heard but again why now couldn't it have happened sooner I mean first minute you're watching Snakes In The City in crystal clear HD next minute the whole channel goes dark.

Roundups #17: DreamWorks Animation Preps Up Four New Series, Obi-Wan Streaming May 22nd On Disney+, WWE Replaces 205 Live With NXT: Level Up And New Documentary Film KungFu Stuntmen Coming Soon To KIX Africa

DreamWorks Junior expands with two animated series on Netflix

Based on the book of the same name, Not Quite Narwhal dives into the daily adventures of a narwhal named Kelp, who discovers he’s part-unicorn and must learn to navigate life in the sea and on land.

Dew Drop Diaries pulls back the curtain
on a group of pint-sized fairies who have been assigned to help city-dwelling human families with tasks such as organizing toys and placing lost teeth under pillows for the Tooth Fairy.

Both slated to air in 2023.

Source: Kidscreen

Also read: 
- Paramount+ and Nickelodeon expand kids slate
- Possible channel closures from Warner Bros. Discovery
- ViacomCBS rebrands into Paramount
- Warner Bros. Discovery could terminate these channels
- NCIS: Los Angeles might get cancelled
- Cartoonito launches on Boomerang across Europe possibly as a trial run before scrapping the channel
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- February on ViacomCBS Africa channels
- February on TNT, Cartoon Network and Boomerang

Peacock greenlits Megamind and Abominable TV series

Megamind’s Guide To Defending Your City, follow-up to the 2010 film will see Megamind going from “being a supervillain and the scourge of Metro City to a superhero who’s learning on the job. He’ll be bringing the audience along for the ride, as Megamind’s trusty brainbots will be recording everything, making him the world’s first superhero influencer.”

Abominable and the Invisible City, a comedy adventure series that will continue the story of DreamWorks Animation’s film. “Through Everest, the yeti, Yi, Jin, and Peng know that there’s a whole magical world out there. “When they discover that their surroundings are teeming with magical creatures in need of their help, the kids will set out on extraordinary and heartfelt adventures throughout their city and beyond.

Source: Deadline

Disney+ Limited Series Obi-Wan Kenobi to Debut on May 25th

The series begins with Obi-Wan Kenobi watching over Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), and takes the character on a "rollicking adventure".

The new Disney+ limited series from Lucasfilm, will debut exclusively on Disney+ May 25. The series stars Ewan McGregor, reprising his role as the iconic Jedi Master.

NXT is getting a spinoff, kills 205 Live

WWE has canceled 205 Live currently seen on SuperSport and the WWE Channel and will air a new series in its place called “NXT: Level Up.” According to reports, WWE will tape NXT: Level Up at the WWE Performance Center and the new show is expected to be 60 minutes long.

WWE 205 Live premiered on November 2016 on WWE Network and it primarily featured talent from the NXT and NXT UK brands and originally focused on the WWE Cruiserweight division. More recently, WWE began to phase out the weight limit originally in place for the show, and the Cruiserweight Championship was unified with the NXT North American Championship.

SuperSport's WWE Channel is available on DStv channel 128 and a ray of WWE content can be viewed on other SuperSport channels.

KIX continue their martial arts journey with a brand new documentary

The documentary features such martial arts legends as Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, filmmakers Tsui Hark and Andrew Lau, along with a number of other stuntmen in the industry.

“Many legendary stuntmen live hard lives and many are unknown. That’s why I decided to make a documentary film in tribute to their continued efforts and never-yielding spirit,” said director Wei.

KIX is available on DStv channel 114

Also read:
- Baby TV could be on the chopping block
- Curiosity Channel to launch St Patrick's Day special
- Disney closing multiple channels in Latin America
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- In March, E! will also be hosting the Oscars live from the red carpet and launch the cover bands
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- Paramount+ greenlit Knuckle TV series and Seal Team movie
- Coroner and Tell Me Your Secrets coming soon to Universal TV
- AEW: Battle Of The Belts launches on TNT

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).

The CW Is Under New Management

The CW Television Network is about to have a new corporate parent. News broke on Monday that Nexstar, the largest owner of local television stations in the U.S., will acquire a 75% stake in the network after six months of negotiations. Current corporate co-owners Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will each maintain a 12.5% interest in the channel, and Nexstar will continue to order original programming from both company's television divisions, as well as elsewhere. The CW's current CEO, Mark Pedowitz, will remain in that position after the deal is finalized, which is expected to happen in Q3 2022.

The CW launched in 2006, gettings its name from the first two letters in the names of its original corporate owners, CBS and Warner Bros. However, there have been reports that both companies as they exist now have been looking to divest from the network following major corporate mergers (CBS joining with Viacom to first become ViacomCBS and now Paramount; Warner Bros. merging with Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery).

Reports suggest that Nexstar plans for The CW to become a network fully focused on its broadcast television potential. Previously, The CW has generated much of its revenue through lucrative streaming deals with companies like Netflix, which encouraged the companies involved to keep shows going that may otherwise not have justified renewals based on broadcast ratings alone. However, with Netflix generating increasingly more of its own original content, and Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery pivoting to focus on their own streaming platforms (Paramount+ and HBO Max/Discovery+, respectively), that business model makes less sense.

The CW was previously best known for being the hub of the shared DC Comics television multiverse that came to be known as the Arrowverse. The franchise included the shows Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, and Batwoman. With The CW canceling Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman earlier this year, and The Flash wrapping with its upcoming ninth season, the Arrowverse will come to an end.

"Our acquisition of The CW is strategically and operationally compelling, as it will enable us to leverage our operational experience to improve the Network's performance through our management of this powerful national platform," said Perry Sook, Nexstar's Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, in a press release. "We plan to apply the same strict financial standards to operating The CW as we apply to our other businesses."

"The CW has delivered signature programming to its broadcast and digital audiences for 16 years," said George Cheeks, President & Chief Executive Officer of CBS. "Together, with our partners at Warner Bros. and The CW, we have created a welcome home for content that has resonated with viewers on the network and on platforms around the world. This new ownership structure enables us to partner with Nexstar and Warner Bros. Discovery on the next chapter of The CW while re-deploying capital to other content platforms at Paramount."

Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group, added, "For 16 seasons, The CW has been home to some of the most groundbreaking and generation-defining programming in television, from the iconic DC Super Heroes of Greg Berlanti's Arrowverse series to The Vampire Diaries, and everything in between, including the All American franchise, the original Gossip Girl, Kung Fu, Nikita, Riverdale, Smallville, and many many more. The network was also the home of Supernatural, the longest-running live-action fantasy series in U.S. TV history, for 14 of its 15 seasons. We're excited that the Supernatural story will continue with The Winchesters premiering this fall. We look forward to continuing to collaborate on our shared series and future projects to come under Nexstar's leadership. We are forever grateful to our partners at The CW, especially Mark Pedowitz, who has been a great friend to the studio for so many years, and to me personally. We know that the network will continue to thrive under his leadership."

New Channel Alert (Rumour): SABC To Launch SABC Children As New Children's Channel On DTT As Brand Enters Post Production, Will Be Added Onto More Platforms Soon

SABC Children has been rumoured entertainment channel SABC in partnership with eMedia Investments failed to launch on the Openview platform in 2021 after the channel was spotted on Sentech and on DStv consumers MultiChoice had promised 3 SABC channels after eMedia's 4 channels went off-air at the time.

SABC Children is currently broadcasting a digital service on the Tuluntulu app and interesting to note SABC Education was once a digital exclusive on the platform before getting a linear service in 2020 which just builds onto the suspicion.

But the one thing that has seems credible at this point is Sentech. Initially, the channel was registered alongside SABC Encore without logos now SABC Children appears to have an official logo which is the exact same logo used on Tuluntulu and several media sites.

In some old documents about the channel, SABC Children is said to provide content segmented into defined age categories with an investment emphasis on early child development and preschool children basically a spinoff to SABC Education which also caters to 18-49 year olds.

From what was currently seen through old SABC Children media accounts. The channel is multilingual and unlike SABC Education there is a bunch of international content not sure if it will be included in this version of the channel but seeing as some are dubbed it's possible.

Now that SABC Children's existence seems more alive then ever questions amount to the existence of the second SABC entertainment channel likely SABC Encore. Is it launching at the same time as Children or do viewers have to wait a while before we can get any update and confirmation to any of this.

The launch of SABC Children coincides with the launch of their long awaited streaming service which is expected to bundle not only SABC 1-3, Sport and Education but further channels from the broadcaster which are expected to

Roundups #84: Via's Die Kontrak Has Been Picked Up By eMedia's eExtra, Cape Town TV Partners With Reemay Real Fitness For New Fitness Series And People's Weather Enters The Track With Rotax Karting

Kuiertyd doubles down on Afrikaans entertainment

Earlier in the year, eMedia Investments picked up Die Kontrak formerly seen on Via for a second season on eExtra which stopped airing such content as the content couldn't obtain enough viewers but after almost 3 years the channel gets back in the game.

'Die Kontrak' is the popular TV talent search program where a record contract from the prestigious Coleske group can be released. The program premiered in 2018 and Demi Lee Moore was announced as the winner.

Die Kontrak airs weekly on eExtra at 18:30 from 21 August with repeats available to stream on eVOD and to binge on e.tv every Saturday at 18:00.

Cape Town TV is about to enter the gym

TV Radio Actor, Corporate Media, Health Fitness Group & Personal Trainer / Motivational Speaker /Corporates Deemay Ramon's The Reemay Fitness Channel will be making its DStv debut on Cape Town TV this September.

As stated by the owners of The Reemay Real Fitness:

To those who have DStv make sure not to miss our indetail, overall health, fitness and wellness programmes coming soon to the comfort of your homes.

The Reemay Real Fitness is currently broadcasting through StarSat on OnseTV every Tuesday at 7pm with Cape Town TV by September 2022 on DStv. For those without the necessary outlets can view it on YouTube.

Rotax Karting is blazing through People's Weather

Some of the most famous names in South African Motorsport have Rotax Kart Championship titles on their CVs, including Michael Stephen, Jonathan Aberdein, Julian van der Watt, David Perel, Mark and Gavin Cronje and Bradley Liebenberg, to name but a few.

In 2022, the Rotax South African Kart Championships will race together again. Well organised club, regional and national race days countrywide, run by officials who love Kart Racing.

Managed by Karting SA, The Championships run to a single, simple, clear and comprehensive set of regulations. Backed by our supporting ASN, WOMZA, who share in our vision and initiative.

Don't miss it on People's Weather at 14:30 from 4 September.

TLNovelas Africa Completes The Puzzle Of New Content With Burden Of Guilt And The Highly Anticipated Series, Overcoming Heartbreak

After weeks of anticipation, TLNovelas Africa's only Mexican entertainment channel to offer telenovelas in English and Portuguese completes their trio of new series with Burden Of Guilt joining already announced series Head Over Heels, Giving Up My Life and Overcoming Heartbreak.

Burden Of Guilt (Mi Pecado) follows the lives of childhood best friends Paulino, Rodolfo, Gabino and Matías as their friendship is put to the test as they get older. Matías opts to become a religious men while Gabino becomes a shrewd and greedy man who manipulates those around him.

Maite Perroni and Eugenio Siller star as the protagonists with Francisco Gattorno as the co-protagonist, while Daniela Castro, Sergio Goyri, Sabine Moussier, Jessica Coch, Altaír Jarabo, and Armando Araiza star as the main antagonists.

Overcoming Heartbreak (Vencer El Desamor) tells the story of four women, of different ages and social strata, who are forced to live together under the same roof. At first, the coexistence between them is complicated but their problems with their respective partners is what bounds them.

It stars an ensemble cast headed by Daniela Romo, Claudia Álvarez, Julia Urbini, Valentina Buzzurro, David Zepeda, Juan Diego Covarrubias, and Emmanuel Palomares.

Overcoming Heartbreak was unveiled earlier in the year alongside the third instalment to Overcoming titled Overcoming The Past when the channel broadcast the first instalment to the franchise, Overcoming Fear.

Burden Of Guilt just like most TLNovelas soaps even the 3 announced shows joins DreamWorks Channel as one of the already seen already hashed content in various African markets. A date and time for this content will likely be mentioned close to their launch.

As it is the current offering on the channel is set to reach its climax but if I had to guess Head Over Heels replaces Simply Maria, Burden Of Truth replaces Malquerida, Overcoming Heartbreak replaces No One Like You and Giving Up My Life replaces Keeping My Family Together.

Unpopular Fact: Cartoon Network Was A Loss Making Channel

When two corporations merge a bunch of wild decisions are made that we should definitely be worrying about. A recent announcement revealed that HBO Max as you know it won't be sticking around for much longer and something else will be taking place.

During an investor call, Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO David filled us in on what's happening by the end of 2023. HBO Max and Discovery+ are combining to form a new streaming service by next year. It will have a mix of old and new content with a lot of details still being left in the dark.

While this combo is taking sometime to get going we are already feeling the consequences right now - cancellations.

You may know that the Batgirl and Scoob: Holiday Haunt's situation were both these projects were close to being finished then they were just scrapped from ever releasing. That was bad but things are about to get much worse.

During the investor call, we learnt some unfortunate news about animation. In a previous slide from WarnerMedia, it was revealed that a high budget was going into projects including kids and animation with unproven financial returns.

On the call, we also learnt that content on both streaming and linear platforms would be cut without an adequate investment case on them if that was bad it's probably gonna get worse. This means that no current or upcoming offering is safe from being cancelled.

As stated in that upfront they would be looking to cutting back on local investment so it might be bye-bye to My Cartoon Friend, Elliott From Earth and CN To The Rescue alongside upcoming attractions like Garbage Boy And Trash Can, Iyanu: Child Of Wonder, The Adventures Of Ivanhoe and Battu are all not safe.

Credits: Vailskibum94