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

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Popular, expensive shows like Game of Thrones are becoming a thing of the past. Building on the success of The Pitt earlier this year, the streaming service is now offering a range of new shows in a way that will feel familiar to viewers of traditional television – with new episodes released on a regular schedule.

According to reports, HBO Max is planning to create more shows with longer seasons (15+ episodes), lower production costs, and annual releases. Two potential projects starting with this approach are the police drama American Blue and the family drama How To Survive Without Me (currently its working title). While HBO is shifting towards this new model, they aren’t abandoning large-scale, expensive programs altogether. Shows like Lanterns, Harry Potter, and a new Game of Thrones spin-off are still in development. However, if these new police dramas perform well, similar to The Pitt, they could represent a shift towards this more streamlined approach, potentially becoming among the last HBO Max series with high budgets, shorter seasons, and long waits between releases.

Why HBO Max Is Returning to a More Traditional TV Model

I was reading an interview with Sarah Aubrey, the head of original programming at HBO Max, and she explained their thinking behind making longer-season shows. Apparently, she and Casey Bloys noticed a gap in the streaming market – nobody was really doing those classic network-style shows with 15 or more episodes that come back every year. They believe that length is key, because it gives viewers a chance to really get invested in the world and characters. She pointed out that’s why older shows still get binged – people love having a lot of episodes to dive into, instead of waiting years for a new season with only eight!

Aubrey explained that they recognized a potential opportunity and decided to invest in a type of storytelling they believed audiences would enjoy. At the same time, John Wells and Scott Gemmill were focused on accurately portraying the state of modern medicine after the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were eager to pursue their creative vision. Aubrey emphasized the importance of collaborating with partners who are genuinely passionate about the stories they tell. Ultimately, all of these factors came together to create The Pitt.

Created by R. Scott Gemmill, The Pitt is a medical drama that centers around the doctors and staff of a busy emergency room at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Each episode focuses on the challenges they face during a demanding 15-hour shift. The show stars Noah Wyle, previously known for his role on ER, and was well-received by critics. A new installment is scheduled to premiere in January 2026.

HBO’s American Blue Will Complement The Pitt

One potential companion show to The Pitt is American Blue. Created by Jeremy Carver, who previously worked on Supernatural, it follows Brian “Milk” Milkovich as he returns to his hometown of Joliet, Illinois. He aims to help the struggling police department and find his own path to redemption.

The new show is predicted to feel reminiscent of classic police dramas like Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. Meanwhile, How to Survive Without Me is, as Aubrey describes it, a story about adult siblings and their father navigating grief, love, and life in Los Angeles.

I’m really excited about this new family drama! It’s being developed by some seriously talented people – Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, and Robbie Rogers are all involved, which is a great sign. And just like The Pitt, they’re filming it right here in Los Angeles, which is cool.

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2026-05-29 12:36