HBO Is the Latest to Abandon SXSW Because of CoronavirusAmazon, Apple, Facebook, Netflix and Twitter have done the same.
This story originally appeared onEngadget
HBO is the latest company to pull out of SXSW. Other companies —includingAmazon,Apple,Facebook,NetflixandTwitter— have done the same, as the coronavirus outbreak continues to cause concern. HBO said Thursday that its parent company Warner Media "decided it's best not to move forward with activations at SXSW,"CNETreports.
At the moment, it seems that SXSW will still happen. According toa statementon the festival's website, officials are "working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for a safe event." Even if the festival does start as planned on March 13th, it will be considerably smaller than it has been in past years, as large and small companies alike attempt to avoid putting people in unnecessary contact.
Several other festivals and tech shows have already been canceled, includingGDC,MWC,I/O, F8. Today, organized postponed the upcomingMinecraft Festival, and chances are we'll see more cancelations. As Engadget's Jessica Conditt points out, panic around the coronavirus outbreak could expedite thedemise of in-person tech conventionsaltogether.
