DirecTV said to warn CNN parent over streaming news service
Brandon Bell/Getty Images News
DirecTV (NYSE:T) is reportedly warning Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) that a new CNN streaming service might violate the two companies' contract.
The giant satellite TV provider has sent a letter to WBD execs raising the issue that streaming the news network's programming via the new CNN Max could breach DirecTV's contract, The New York Times
reported.
The issue is that CNN Max includes many of the shows airing on traditional CNN TV -- and it's part of a growing pushback from television distributors on cable and satellite against streaming service loaded with shows for which they're already paying millions of dollars.
CNN's previous streaming effort, CNN+, looked to solve the streaming-vs.-cable-and-satellite dilemma by focusing on original, unique content, but the project rapidly failed and was shuttered.
The conflict might not escalate beyond a current war of words, but DirecTV is pointing to frustration on potential double-paying, while WBD believes it's working well within its rights to offer CNN Max to its streamers.

More on CNN

CNN taps NYT ex Thompson as new chairman, CEO
WBD stepping back into news streaming via 'CNN Max'
CNN looks undervalued amid WBD spinoff chatter, Benchmark says