WarnerMedia will discontinue HBO and WB TV channels in India and select South Asian countries later this year. The move comes as the entertainment conglomerate has struggled to find a sustainable business model despite operating in the region for over a decade.
Warner Media, however, said it will continue to offer Cartoon Network and Pogo in India, and distribute CNN International in the country.
“After 20 years of successes for the HBO linear movie channel in South Asia and more than a decade with the WB linear movie channel, this was a difficult decision to make. The pay-TV industry landscape and the market dynamics have shifted dramatically, and the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for further change,” said Siddharth Jain, SVP and Managing Director of WarnerMedia’s entertainment network in South Asia, in a statement.
“WarnerMedia has a strong interest in India and are committed to assessing optimal opportunities to serve valued customers here,” said Jain.