HBO has discontinued operations after 20 years and WB Channel after 10 years in Pakistan from December 15. The reasons behind suspending transmission in South Asians countries are the incompetent sustainable business model, low ratings, and a robust market transformation in the television industry in the region.
Previously this year, Sony Pictures Network (SPN) suspended transmission of AXN and AXN HD across Pakistan, India. Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. While the news is sad, the world is rather moving towards video-on-demand and Over-the-top media service services.
Siddharth Jain, SVP and Managing Director, Warner Media International Division, said in a statement, “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”.
Warner Media International South Asia will nevertheless be broadcasting Cartoon Network and CNN International in South Asian market for now. In Pakistan, HBO was launched in the mid-2000s for which ARY Media Group held the license for, in the country. However, WB entered the market after a whole decade and started operations in the early 2010s. This channel was operated by the South Asian distribution of Warner Media International, which also runs Cartoon Network and CNN International in the country.
In May this year, HBO launched its streaming platform HBO Max which can be another reason why the services have been discontinued in the region. It is notable to mention that Pakistan does not have access to Disney+ and HotStar at the moment.
It looks like other channels in the world are on the same route. Disney also made a similar move this year as they decided to discontinue their services for Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD and moved its programming to the streaming platform to Disney+.
Here is how Twitter is taking the news:
After 20 years, HBO has ended its transmission in Pakistan and other South Asian countries on account of it's OTT platforms.
– Not sure which channel I can watch the same movies on repeat for the rest of my life now.— Syed M. Saad Ahsan (@saadahsan) December 16, 2020
HBO in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Maldives is discontinuing its SD and HD operations wef December 15, 2020.
Growth of OTT platforms and no revenues has eaten away its business. The company is set to launch its own streaming platform, HBO Max soon pic.twitter.com/SlfkmrgDh3
— நட்ராஜ்🌴 (@NaTaraJ_21) December 16, 2020
WarnerMedia International announced to shut down the HBO SD and HD linear movie channels in India and Pakistan, as well as the WB linear movie channel in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives effective 15th Dec, today!#HBO #WarnerMedia #WB pic.twitter.com/B1D2dsCKtJ
— Asok (@itsmeasok) December 15, 2020
HBO in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Maldives is discontinuing its SD and HD operations wef December 15, 2020.
Growth of OTT platforms and no revenues has eaten away its business. The company is set to launch its own streaming platform, HBO Max soon pic.twitter.com/afJOnXu86w
— UN (@UshaNirmala) December 14, 2020
As of now, it is not confirmed if HBOMax will be available in Pakistan any time soon.
We need HBO Max in Pakistan 😭
— Essa Malik (@Yeezus_Chwist) December 7, 2020
Hey @jasonkilar @WarnerMedia I'm in Pakistan and I'm really disappointed that you guys are closing down HBO and WB channels how am I going to be watching my favourite films and WB/HBO catalog there will be a huge void
— Phantom #BatmanDay (@fxhxxm) October 17, 2020
We are as heartbroken as you are. Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.
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