HBO Max continues to bolster its programming lineup ahead of its launch next spring, adding four projects from fellow WarnerMedia company CNN.
The projects — two docuseries and two features — include a four-part series based on Stitcher’s “Heaven’s Gate” podcast about the infamous Heaven’s Gate cult, a new series from Alex Gibney, and a film following female political reporters covering the 2020 campaign.
“We are tremendously inspired by CNN’s history of award-winning documentary storytelling and journalistic integrity,” Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, HBO Max, said. “This slate of projects with CNN demonstrates our power as a media family to create quality programming that covers the captivating and critical issues of today.”
HBO Max will launch next spring and WarnerMedia will hold an investor day next week to officially unveil the service.
Here are the details on the four projects, in the streamer’s own words:
“Heaven’s Gate”: Four-part HBO Max original from CNN Original Series that explores the infamous religious movement and the stranger-than-fiction circumstances that culminated in the biggest mass suicide to ever take place on U.S. soil. It is a raw, honest depiction of the shared experiences of those directly involved with the group, and those closely affected by it. Directed and executive produced by Clay Tweel, “Heaven’s Gate” is produced by Campfire, the scripted and nonfiction production company from prolific television and film producer Ross Dinerstein, and Chris Bannon, Eric Spiegelman, Peter Clowney, and Erik Diehn for the digital media company Stitcher.
“Generation Hustle” (w.t.) is a 10-part HBO Max original from CNN Original Series about the lengths young people will go to for fame, fortune, and power. From Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, the series will be executive produced by Yon Motskin, Stacey Offman, and Richard Perello.
“The Scoop” (w.t.) is a documentary feature produced by CNN Films and will follow the exhilarating and exhausting lives of CNN’s fearless female political reporters as they cover the most unpredictable presidential campaign in American history. This behind-the-scenes documentary draws from unprecedented access to the campaign press corps and reveals how these powerhouse political reporters deal with the candidates as well as with the challenges of life on the road.
“Persona” (w.t.) is a documentary feature produced by CNN Films that explores the riveting and unexpected origin story of America’s obsession with personality testing. Embedded in everything from dating sites to job applications, “Persona” reveals the profound ways personality testing has formed and influenced the world around us.