HBO Max Sacrifices Children for Adults

Published: August 15, 2025

By Gavin Boyle

HBO Max scrubbed nearly all its SCOOBY-DOO content in a larger purge of Cartoon Network series as the platform shifts its focus to cater to an adult audience.

“Effective on or after Aug. 15, 2025, HBO Family, ThrillerMAx, MovieMax and OuterMax will cease programming and will no longer be available,” Spectrum informed its cable subscribers in June.

This move away from family programming appears to have hit streaming as well with all SCOOBY-DOO content, other than the Max Original VELMA — which is aimed at an adult audience — being taken off the site. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) previously explained that it is pulling away from family content in order to deliver a narrower set of high-quality shows.

“This evolution has been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content,” WBD said in a statement. “With other services filling the more basic needs with volume, WBD has clearly distinguished itself through its quality and distinct stories, and no brand has done that better and more consistently over 50-plus years than HBO.”

This move is extremely disappointing given that family content is the most popular programming around. By removing SCOOBY-DOO from HBO Max, the beloved show is no longer available on any platform, as WBD’s Cartoon Network-centric streaming service, Boomerang, was canceled last year.

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Cartoon Network programming is not the only area being impacted by WBD’s new focus. SESAME STREET was cut from the docket as well, placing the show with over 50 seasons in jeopardy. Netflix, however, stepped in and purchased the rights to the show, allowing it to continue on the streamer.

“This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love,” said Sherri Westin, CEO of Sesame Workshop.

These changes come as WBD nears a split that will silo its cable content from its other business. Discovery will become a distinct business that will take over the linear assets, while Warner Bros. will continue to operate the streaming, studio and amusement park assets.

“By operating as two distinct and optimized companies in the future, we are empowering these iconic brands with the sharper focus and strategic flexibility they need to compete most effectively in today’s evolving media landscape,” said current WBD CEO David Zaslav.

However, by focusing on adult content and cutting beloved kids IP like SCOOBY-DOO, Warner Bros. may find it hard to turn a profit, even when not dragged down by its failing cable business.

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