HBO Max Purges Animated Shows From Their Library

Ever since the Warner Bros Discovery merger became final big changes are afoot. The new media giant has been making various cutbacks and decisions that have proved controversial. Not least the decision to shelve Batgirl and Scoob: Holiday Haunt- two films that were almost finished. They also removed several HBO Original films from their catalogue on HBO Max. 

Warner Bros Discovery has now announced a second wave of titles will be removed from streaming. The list includes several animated titles. Variety reports they could be removed as early as this week.

Aquaman: King of Atlantis

Close Enough
Esme & Roy

The Fungies!

Infinity Train

Little Ellen

Odo

Summer Camp Island

The Runaway Bunny

Tig n’ Seek

Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs

Dodo

Elliott From Earth

 Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart
Mighty Magiswords
OK K.O.! – Let’s Be Heroes
Uncle Grandpa
Victor and Valentino

 

If you're left baffled by this move you won't be alone. The official line is that the company is preparing for the upcoming merging of HBO Max with Discovery's own streaming platform Discovery Plus, expected to happen sometime next year. That still doesn't really explain much as surely they want more content not less? Especially considering they have already paid for them. The reality is it's probably another cost-cutting measure, saving them from paying any residuals they may be liable for.

Whatever the reason may be, this is incredibly disappointing news. Fans in the US won't have anywhere to stream most of these titles and there seems little chance of them being reinstated any time soon.