A requiem for HBO Max

And 'Batgirl' directors react

What to know

• WBD reportedly “gutting” HBO Max… HBO Max, with its combination of HBO titles, Max originals, and library content, is easily the most quality streaming service. Which is probably why David Zaslav is “gutting” it, because God forbid we have nice things! The Wrap reports that Warner Bros. Disovery will combine HBO Max with Discovery+ into one streaming service (makes sense) — but that much of the HBO Max team (an estimated 70% of its development people) will be laid off to correct redundancies. The HBO brand itself (which is different from the Max team) will allegedly remain in tact and handle all scripted development for the new, combined streaming service, albeit at a lower output. This is such a shame because the HBO Max originals team was doing an excellent job making truly standout and award worthy shows. They put out Station Eleven, Hacks, Minx, Our Flag Means Death, Love Life, The Flight Attendant, Peacemaker. Hopefully some of HBO Max’s originals survive this culling. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but I predict some confusion when WBD kills “HBO Max” but keeps “HBO.” 😡

• HBO Max pulls 6 original movies pulled from service with more to come… But wait, it gets worse! Warner Bros. Discovery has also hatched a scheme to cut costs on HBO Max by removing already-made content for tax write-off purposes. This is what we saw with Batgirl yesterday, and today An American Pickle, Moonshot, The Witches, and more were taken off the service. Thankfully, if you really wanted to watch these movies, they’re still available to rent or buy on VOD. Unforunately, IndieWire says more cuts (both movies and series) are coming, so if there’s something on HBO Max you were planning to watch that isn’t a hit, maybe watch it now? 😡