Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is planning to shut down several of its lesser-known TV channels, including HBO Family, as part of a broader strategy to simplify its network offerings.
HBO Family, which launched in December 1996 as a child- and family-focused extension of the HBO brand, will stop broadcasting on August 15, 2025. This move reflects the ongoing shift in how viewers consume content, with most audiences now choosing to watch through streaming platforms rather than traditional linear TV channels.
This news was first reported by Cord Cutters News after Spectrum, a major cable provider, informed its subscribers of the change. Spectrum said, “Effective on or after August 15, 2025, HBO Family, ThrillerMax, MovieMax, & OuterMax will cease programming and will no longer be available.”
Additionally, WBD will also shut down three Cinemax multiplex channels: ThrillerMax, MovieMax, and OuterMax. These channels offered genre-specific content ThrillerMax aired horror and thriller films, MovieMax targeted younger viewers, and OuterMax focused on science fiction and fantasy.
The decision is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s effort to reduce the number of multiplex channels which are extra channels bundled into subscriptions for HBO or Cinemax. Most of these channels replay content already available on the main network or show movies that have already aired elsewhere.
Linear channels those you watch on scheduled TV have seen major drops in viewership over the years. More people now prefer to stream shows and movies whenever they want. Platforms like HBO Max, which will soon be rebranded, have become the main way people watch HBO content. Notably, HBO original series now get the majority of their viewership through streaming rather than traditional TV.
Furthermore, this change comes during a major shift within Warner Bros. Discovery itself. The company recently announced plans to split into two separate businesses. One of those new companies will focus on its basic cable networks, though HBO will not be part of that new spin-off.
HBO Family was launched to offer safe, family-friendly content. The channel avoided R-rated or TV-MA programming and instead focused on children’s shows, educational specials, and family movies. It also became a home for HBO’s kids programming after it was removed from the main HBO channel.
Though it rarely aired new content in recent years, HBO Family played an important role for families looking for age-appropriate programming within the HBO brand.
Despite these closures, HBO still plans to keep several of its other multiplex channels running. These include HBO2, HBO Signature, HBO Comedy, HBO Zone, and HBO Latino.
As for Cinemax, it will continue operating the following multiplex channels: MoreMax, ActionMax, 5 Star Max, and Cinemáx. ThrillerMax, MovieMax, and OuterMax, however, will go dark on the same date as HBO Family August 15, 2025.
This move is part of a wider industry trend as traditional TV networks face declining audiences and focus more on their digital platforms. With streaming services becoming the main hub for content, media companies like Warner Bros. Discovery are making changes to keep up with viewer habits and reduce costs.
For now, subscribers can continue to enjoy these channels until August 2025. WBD has not yet commented on whether any of the programming from these channels will be moved to streaming or retired completely.