Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has pulled its bouquet of 14 channels off Indonesia’s largest platform, MNC, ending decades-long affiliate arrangements. 

The dramatic decision involves channels from HBO and Cartoon Network to Discovery and TLC, all of which went dark on 12 May. 

WBD’s move, which follows a similar decision by beIN to remove its sports service from MNC in November last year, brings to a close a long-running battle between WBD and MNC over payment issues, ContentAsia understands from local sources. 

WBD’s Singapore-based regional HQ has confirmed that the channel supply agreement with MNC has been terminated for now.

“Warner Bros Discovery has made the difficult decision to suspend the broadcast of its channels to long-time partner MNC over unresolved contractual issues,” the company said in an emailed statement in response to ContentAsia’s query. 

WBD did not give reasons for the breakdown in discussions that would have kept WBD channels on the Indonesian platform.

Although MNC has moved quickly to attempt to replace the channels, WBD has left the door open for an eventual resolution. 

“We hope this situation can be rectified promptly,” WBD said in the same statement.

At the same time, the company added that it remained “committed to our linear networks across Southeast Asia, and the channels continue to be available on other platforms in Indonesia,” a WBD spokesperson said. 

Indonesian platforms that still carry WBD channels include Indihome, First Media and Trans. 

MNC, meanwhile, has replaced WBD’s channels with a bouquet of Cinemachi-branded channels – Cinemachi, Cinemachi Xtra, Cinemachi Action, Cinemachi Kids and blockbuster movie channel Cinemachi Max. 

According to MNC’s programming line up, the Cinemachi channels on MNC offer titles such as "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull", "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows", "Happy Feet" and "White House Down".

The Cinemachi channels are operated by Mimyuni Media Entertainment, a general partner of Global Broadcasting Enterprises – Dubai.

On its website, Mimyuni says its products are “made to induce positive feelings and lead back to the harmony we lose due to the responsibilities we have in our daily lives... We take on the liability to participate in the bright shift of society and the world using television”. 

“Our goal is to offer TV products that bring people closer, that inform, that are fun, that reinstate our harmony and are capable of refreshing our audience while also introducing an entertaining TV hypnosis for a smile-filled everyday life. Mimyuni – The brighter things for your universe!”

At presstime, U.S. studio teams in charge of licensing for Asia say Cinemachi has not acquired Asia rights to the titles being promoted on the MNC channels. 

MNC has not commented on the situation with WBD or with Cinemachi. 

Cinemachi has not responded to requests for clarification on rights.