HBO Family is officially on its way out. After nearly three decades, the long-running kid- and family-friendly spinoff of HBO will shut down on August 15, 2025. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed the closure as part of a broader move to scale back its linear multiplex channels — the extra channels bundled into HBO or Cinemax subscriptions.
This also includes the closure of ThrillerMax, MovieMax, and OuterMax, all Cinemax-affiliated multiplex channels. The news first emerged when Spectrum notified its subscribers of the shutdown, and it’s since been confirmed by outlets like Variety and Cord Cutters News.
Why are these channels getting the axe?
The simple reason: viewership is down. As more people cut the cord and move to streaming, the demand for linear premium channels like HBO Family has shrunk dramatically. Most of HBO’s original series now pull their biggest audiences on the streaming side — mainly HBO Max, which is expected to be rebranded soon.
HBO Family launched back in December 1996, with a mission to offer family-safe programming — no R-rated content, no TV-MA shows. Over time, it became the home for children’s programming, especially after HBO’s main channel pulled back from airing kids’ content.
The decision to end it feels like the final nail in the coffin for that classic “HBO for everyone” approach. Elmo and friends already left the building — now the channel they called home is closing its doors too.
What’s happening to the Cinemax side?
Cinemax’s multiplex channels ThrillerMax, MovieMax, and OuterMax will also cease operations. Each had its niche. ThrillerMax leaned into horror and suspense. MovieMax, originally launched as WMax in 2001, catered to younger adult audiences. OuterMax was the go-to for sci-fi and fantasy fans.
Still, some Cinemax multiplexes will survive for now, like MoreMax, ActionMax, 5 Star Max, and Cinemáx.
This shakeup isn’t happening in isolation. Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced a major restructuring, splitting its linear basic cable channels into a new entity. HBO isn’t part of that spinoff, but clearly, changes are already in motion across the board.
