HBO Max Pivots to Longer Shows With Smaller Budgets Thanks to The Pitt

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As a big HBO fan, I’ve noticed they’re really shifting gears. After the surprisingly good reception of The Pitt, they’re planning a bunch of new shows, but these aren’t going to be the limited series we’ve gotten used to. They’re going for longer seasons – at least 15 episodes each – and they’re keeping the budgets relatively low, aiming to release a new season every year. It’s a different approach for them, that’s for sure!

According to reports, HBO Max has ordered pilots for two new shows that could be released under a new production model. These include the police drama American Blue, led by former Supernatural showrunner Jeremy Carver, and the family drama How To Survive Without Me (currently a working title), created by Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, and Robbie Rogers. Both projects are being produced by Warner Bros. Television, which has overall deals with both Carver and Berlanti Productions.

HBO has a long history of producing high-quality shows, and that commitment isn’t changing. But upcoming series like Lanterns, Harry Potter, and future installments of Game of Thrones may be among the last to have large budgets, shorter seasons, and significant breaks between new episodes.

Why HBO Max Is Returning to a More Traditional TV Model

In a recent interview with Deadline, HBO Max Head of Originals Sarah Aubrey discussed the network’s approach to creating shows. She explained that she and Casey Bloys, the head of HBO and HBO Max Content, noticed a gap in the streaming market for shows similar to traditional network television – those with 15 or more episodes that come back each year. Aubrey emphasized that a longer episode count allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in a show’s world, which is a key reason why older shows with many episodes are still so popular for binge-watching.

Aubrey explained that they recognized a potential opportunity and decided to take a chance on a new style of storytelling, believing audiences would be drawn to it. At the same time, John, Scott, and Noah were eager to create a hospital drama set in 2025, specifically exploring the future of medicine after the Covid-19 pandemic. They highly value creative partners with strong passions for their projects, and this collaboration felt like a perfect fit. The result of this alignment is the show, The Pitt.

The Pitt is a medical drama that follows the doctors and nurses working in the emergency room of a Pittsburgh hospital as they navigate a challenging 15-hour shift. The show was well-received by critics and HBO Max quickly ordered a second season. It has also won numerous awards, including five Emmys, with one being for Outstanding Drama Series.

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2025-11-06 22:38