Netflix May Soon Stream Some Popular HBO Shows

After enduring a year of cancellations and layoffs, HBO is considering licensing its original series to Netflix, according to a report by Deadline. This move, driven by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s focus on generating quick revenue, has garnered mixed reactions from HBO’s old guard who are concerned about the financial implications. The deal may not come to fruition, but it’s seen as a necessary step to strengthen HBO’s bottom line.

One of the shows potentially involved in the licensing agreement is Issa Rae’s “Insecure,” which aired on HBO for five seasons until December 2021. This deal would not be exclusive, as Warner Bros. Discovery would still be able to showcase the series on its own platform, Max.

While it’s not uncommon for TV shows or movies to air on multiple streaming networks, this would mark Warner Bros. Discovery’s first significant streaming deal since selling a package of canceled shows to free ad-supported television (FAST) networks earlier this year. These shows included the recently canceled “Westworld” and unaired episodes of Joss Whedon’s series “The Nevers.”

In the past, Warner Bros. has licensed some of its biggest shows, such as “The Sopranos” and “The Wire,” to Amazon Prime Video. However, the trend of selling shows to competing services slowed down as streaming platforms aimed to establish their own exclusive content offerings.

However, Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO, David Zaslav, has expressed a different approach. He believes in maximizing revenue by utilizing the company’s content catalog that has remained unused for years. This shift in strategy led to the recent rebranding of HBO Max as “Max” and the introduction of a new pricing tier for 4K video. Nevertheless, the company faced criticism for mishandling the credits issue and upsetting striking WGA writers.

Despite the criticisms, Warner Bros. Discovery’s willingness to explore licensing options provides viewers the opportunity to enjoy high-quality shows across multiple platforms. In an industry where content cancellations due to financial reasons are not uncommon, this approach offers a more optimistic outcome.