
Cow and Chicken is a beloved Cartoon Network classic that many fans have been eagerly anticipating on streaming platforms, particularly HBO Max. However, the show is notably absent from HBO Max's catalogue, prompting questions from fans. The reason for this absence lies in streaming rights; WarnerMedia, the parent company of HBO Max, does not own the streaming rights to Cow and Chicken. This is due to the fact that streaming rights were not a consideration when the show was originally produced, and as a result, ownership often rested with the series creators rather than distributors. While there is speculation that WarnerMedia may eventually secure the rights, for now, fans will have to rely on alternative platforms to revisit the wacky adventures of Cow and Chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for absence on HBO Max | WarnerMedia does not have the streaming rights to Cow and Chicken |
| Streaming rights | Often fell to the series creators rather than the distributor |
| Availability | For sale on iTunes and Amazon; previously available on Netflix and Stan.com.au |
| Possible future availability | May be added to HBO Max in the future |
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What You'll Learn

WarnerMedia doesn't have streaming rights
Cow and Chicken is notably absent from the HBO Max catalogue, despite the presence of other Cartoon Network classics. This is likely due to the fact that WarnerMedia does not hold the streaming rights to the show.
Streaming services like HBO Max rely on a complex web of licensing agreements and distribution rights to make content available to their subscribers. When it comes to Cow and Chicken, the streaming rights may be held by another company or entity, preventing WarnerMedia from offering the show on its platform. This is supported by the fact that Cow and Chicken is available for purchase on other digital platforms like iTunes and Amazon, indicating that the streaming rights may be held by a separate party.
The absence of Cow and Chicken on HBO Max could be attributed to the age of the show. When Cow and Chicken was created, streaming services did not exist, and contracts at the time did not account for streaming rights. As a result, the ownership of the show may have defaulted to the series creator rather than the distributor, further complicating the streaming rights landscape.
It is worth noting that streaming rights are distinct from television distribution rights, which encompass sales on platforms like iTunes and Amazon, network airings, physical distribution, and standard VOD services. The availability of Cow and Chicken on these platforms does not automatically grant WarnerMedia the ability to stream the show on HBO Max.
The discussion around Cow and Chicken's absence from HBO Max has sparked various theories. Some speculate that the show may be deemed too risqué for the current social climate, potentially generating negative backlash on social media. Others suggest that WarnerMedia's priorities lie elsewhere, focusing on partnerships with other streaming services or acquiring rights to different shows.
While WarnerMedia does not currently hold the streaming rights to Cow and Chicken, the landscape of streaming rights is dynamic and ever-evolving. It is possible that negotiations and agreements could take place in the future, bringing Cow and Chicken to HBO Max subscribers.
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Contracts didn't include streaming
Cow and Chicken is notably absent from the HBO Max catalogue, despite other Cartoon Network classics being available. This is likely due to the fact that streaming was not a mainstream medium when the show was created. As such, contracts at the time did not include streaming rights, and ownership often fell to the series creators rather than the distributors.
This is supported by the fact that Cow and Chicken is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon, indicating that the creators retained the distribution rights. Additionally, the show was previously available on Netflix and is currently offered by the Australian streaming service Stan.com.au, further suggesting that the creators control the streaming rights.
The availability of certain Cartoon Network shows on HBO Max, such as The Smurfs, could be due to partnerships with other streaming services like Hulu, which may have acquired streaming rights to those shows before the existence of HBO Max. However, this does not seem to be the case for Cow and Chicken, as the show is notably absent from Hulu's catalogue.
It is worth noting that WarnerMedia, the parent company of HBO Max, has been selective about which classic shows to include on their streaming service. For example, Looney Tunes, which is also owned by WarnerMedia, is available on HBO Max despite being much older than Cow and Chicken. This suggests that WarnerMedia is prioritizing certain properties over others, possibly due to their perceived popularity or relevance to modern audiences.
While it is unclear why Cow and Chicken has not yet been added to HBO Max, it is likely a combination of factors, including the complexities of streaming rights, the show's ownership, and the priorities of WarnerMedia in curating their streaming service.
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Ownership fell to series creators
Cow and Chicken is notably absent from the HBO Max catalogue. While the reason for this is not entirely clear, it is speculated that it has to do with streaming rights. When the show was created, streaming was not a prevalent mode of content consumption, so contracts did not include streaming rights, and ownership often fell to the series creators rather than distributors. This is supported by the fact that Cow and Chicken is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon, indicating that the creators may have retained the rights to distribute the show on digital platforms.
It is worth noting that some regions may have different streaming or distribution rights, as Cow and Chicken was available on Stan.com.au, an Australian streaming service, a year or two ago. Additionally, Hulu still has Cow and Chicken on its service, which could indicate a prior streaming agreement that allows them to continue offering the show even after the creation of HBO Max.
The absence of Cow and Chicken on HBO Max could also be related to the creators' current projects. David Feiss, the creator of Cow and Chicken, currently works with Illumination, and his show is missing from both the HBO Max and Boomerang OTT services. It is possible that Feiss has chosen not to include Cow and Chicken on HBO Max due to his current commitments or other priorities.
While there is no definitive answer, it appears that the availability of Cow and Chicken on streaming platforms is likely influenced by the show's creators and the evolution of streaming rights over time.
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WarnerMedia milks shows from other sources
WarnerMedia, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, does not own the streaming rights to Cow and Chicken and several other classic Cartoon Network shows. This is because, when these shows were made, streaming was not a popular medium, and contracts did not include streaming rights. As a result, the ownership of these shows often fell to their creators rather than a distributor.
In contrast, WarnerMedia owns and operates several streaming services, including HBO Max, HBO NOW, and HBO Max OTT. The company also owns the television networks Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and Turner Classic Movies, as well as the comic book company DC Entertainment. WarnerMedia Studios & Networks, one of the company's primary divisions, encompasses television series and motion picture development, production, and programming.
WarnerMedia has a vast portfolio of intellectual property and content, with popular shows such as *The Big Bang Theory*, *Young Sheldon*, and *The Voice*. The company also owns the rights to acclaimed series like *Game of Thrones*, *Westworld*, and *Big Little Lies*. In 2017, Warner Bros. had a record-breaking year at the global box office, with hits such as *Wonder Woman*, *It*, and *Dunkirk*.
Despite WarnerMedia's extensive content library, some have observed that the company may prefer to "milk" shows from other sources rather than prioritize acquiring the rights to older shows like *Cow and Chicken*. This could be due to various factors, such as the availability of content on other streaming platforms or the decision-making power of the show's creators.
WarnerMedia's strategy of leveraging its diverse content sources and partnerships reflects a complex landscape of streaming rights, distribution agreements, and creator involvement.
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Shows are available elsewhere
Cow and Chicken is notably absent from the HBO Max catalogue. While the show is unavailable on HBO Max, it is available on other streaming platforms.
Cow and Chicken is accessible on iTunes and Amazon, although some sources indicate that the series available may be incomplete. Amazon UK, for instance, offers the show for sale, but it is not the complete series. Similarly, the Australian streaming service Stan.com.au had Cow and Chicken available in the past, but it is unclear if the show is still part of their current offerings.
The availability of Cow and Chicken on these alternative platforms suggests that the issue with HBO Max is likely due to streaming rights. WarnerMedia, the company behind HBO Max, does not possess the streaming rights to Cow and Chicken. This situation is not unique to this show, as WarnerMedia also lacks the streaming rights to other Cartoon Network classics like Johnny Bravo.
The streaming rights issue stems from the fact that streaming was not a prevalent medium when these shows were created. As a result, the contracts at the time did not consider streaming rights, and ownership often remained with the series creators rather than the distributor. In the case of Cow and Chicken, the creator, David Feiss, currently works with Illumination, which may further complicate the acquisition of streaming rights by HBO Max.
While HBO Max subscribers await the addition of Cow and Chicken to the platform, they can explore other Cartoon Network classics available on the service, such as The Smurfs.
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Frequently asked questions
WarnerMedia does not have the streaming rights to Cow and Chicken. When the show was made, streaming was not a common medium, so contracts did not include streaming rights and ownership often fell to the series' creators.
David Feiss, the creator of Cow and Chicken, currently works with Illumination, and the show is absent from both the HBO Max and Boomerang OTT services.
Cow and Chicken was previously available on Netflix and is currently available on Stan.com.au, an Australian streaming service. It is also available for sale on iTunes and Amazon, although some sources indicate that the series available is incomplete.
It is unclear whether Cow and Chicken will be added to HBO Max in the future. While some speculate that the show may be considered too risqué for the platform, others suggest that it is simply not a priority for WarnerMedia at the moment.











































