The streaming serviceMaxis undergoing another rebranding, whichwill affect upcoming shows liketheHarry Potterrebootand theItprequel,Welcome to Derry. Max, the official streaming service of Warner Bros. and HBO, has already had its name changed once before. Officially launched in May 2020, the service (which offered content from Warner Bros., HBO, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, CNN, and others) was originally called HBO Max, before it was shortened to Max in May 2023.
PerVariety, new shows produced exclusively for the streaming servicewill no longer be called ‘Max Originals’, and will now be known as ‘HBO Originals’.The name change is intended to reflect the high quality of shows HBO is renowned for. The network is responsible for producing some of the most influential and popular shows of all-time, includingThe Sopranos,The Wire,Sex and the City,Game of Thrones,Succession,The Last of Us,The White Lotus, and many, many more.
It: Welcome to Derry
The changes will be officially implemented in 2025. Soon to be releasedshows likeThe Penguin(starring Colin Farrell) and the eagerly anticipatedDunespin-off show,Dune: Prophecywill still be classed as Max originals. In the report, Casey Bloys, Content CEO for HBO and Max explained the reason for the change, saying:
“We felt like we had to delineate between an HBO show and a Max show. The idea of using Warner Bros. IP as a delineation for Max felt right. At least that gives you a clear lane. But as we started producing those shows, we were using the same methods, the same kind of thinking, as how we would approach HBO shows. In a lot of cases, the same talent that has worked on HBO shows.
What we ended up with is shows at this scope and scale that look great, and great narratives and talent we’ve worked with. The idea of the delineation kind of started to feel unnecessary. Like, why are we doing this? Let’s just call them what they are: HBO shows.
For a show that feels big and cinematic, they already are going to make the assumption that it feels like an HBO show. This is just leaning into that.
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HBO Max’s name was changed for two key reasons. Firstly, Warner Bros. wanted to reflecta broader range of programmingon the streaming app. Many of the previously mentioned networks like Adult Swim and Cartoon Network don’t quite fit the same brand as HBO, and prospective customers might not be aware that such a range of shows are available on the app. Secondly, the name change was to reflect that Max also features family-friendly programming and movies. Alongside their reputation for quality programming, HBO’s flagship shows, likeThe Sopranos, are also known for their mature themes and content.
TheHarry Potterseries is expected to be released in 2026, whileWelcome to Derryis expected to debut in 2025.
