As Elmo leaves the HBO household, so does HBO Household. The spinoff channel, which launched in December 1996 as a extra kid- and family-friendly model of HBO, will shut down on August 15. It’s half of a bigger technique by Warner Bros. Discovery to pare down its giant assortment of “multiplex channels” — these further linear channels which can be often included within the value of an HBO or Cinemax subscription.

Moreover reducing HBO Household, WBD additionally plans to stop operations on the Cinemax multiplex channels ThrillerMax, MovieMax and OuterMax. Particulars of the pare down was first reported this week by Twine Cutters Information, which grew to become conscious when Spectrum alerted its prospects that “efficient on or after August 15, 2025, HBO Household, ThrillerMax, MovieMax, & OuterMax will stop programming and can not be out there.” Selection has since confirmed the information.

Linear premium channels have been hit with main viewership declines as audiences shift to streaming; the vast majority of HBO unique collection viewership can now be discovered on the soon-to-be-renamed HBO Max. And naturally, the choice to chop these networks comes as Warner Bros. Discovery itself introduced plans this week to chop the corporate in half, with linear primary cable networks shifting to a brand new spinoff entity. (HBO isn’t a part of that spinoff.)

Most multiplex channels air reruns of films and fare from the mothership; HBO Household aired some unique programming throughout its lifetime, nonetheless. And in recent times, as HBO eliminated its youngsters programming from its major lineup, the entire channel’s kids’s programming and household specials might be discovered on HBO Household as a substitute. Per its remit, HBO Household’s lineup didn’t embody R-rated or TV-MA programming.

HBO continues to supply a number of extra multiplex channels, together with HBO2, HBO Signature, HBO Comedy, HBO Zone and HBO Latino.

As for the Cinemax channels that may shut down, ThrillerMax, which runs horror and thriller movies, launched in 1998; MovieMax, focused at youthful viewers, first premiered in 2001 as WMax; and OuterMax, which focuses on sci-fi and fantasy, launched in 2001. Cinemax continues to program the multiplex channels MoreMax, ActionMax, 5 Star Max and Cinemáx.