HBO Max Unveils Exciting Programming Slate: “White Lotus” Returns, “Harry Potter” Series Delayed
Get ready for another dose of satire and sun-drenched drama! Fans of “White Lotus” can rejoice – a third season of the critically acclaimed series is set to premiere on Max in February.
While HBO continues to build its diverse catalog, the streaming giant is strategically approaching crackdowns on password sharing. A new “gentle” campaign aimed at discouraging unauthorized usage will launch this month, with stricter measures gradually rolling out throughout 2025.
“This is an art and a science of trying to figure out who is actually sharing versus who may be actually at their vacation home or on a business trip, and so it’s an art and a science,” said JB Perrette, president and CEO of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly WarnerMedia). “We will offer a way to essentially add a member, starting in the first quarter. We will then start gradually as we get the data and start figuring out, with some explicit and implicit signals, how good we are at detecting. And then as we go through ’25, you’re going to see the filters get tighter and tighter,” Perrette explained.
Motivated by continuous growth, Max will see price increases in the future. Currently, its ad-free tier costs $16.99 per month, with an ad-supported option available for $9.99, and an “ultimate” premium tier for $20.99.
Highly Anticipated Titles Set to Debut
In addition to the “White Lotus” return, the streamer has set several other highly anticipated releases, including Season 2 of “The Last of Us,”the follow-up to the hit post-apocalyptic drama series, slated for a Spring 2025 premiere.
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” a prequel to the hugely popular “Game of Thrones,” is scheduled for a late 2025 debut.
“Euphoria” fans, rejoice! Season 3 of this supercharged teen drama is anticipated in 2026.
And while the wait is long, “Harry Potter” devotees have a date to circle: 2027.
The highly anticipated TV adaptation of the beloved book series will be a 10-year journey, focusing on the magical trio’s Hogwarts years. Pre-production is well underway, with casting for a new Harry, Ron, and Hermione currently ongoing.
“You begin a 10-year journey… which we’re super excited about,” said Perrette, “And I’d argue, may be the biggest event by the time we get to that series.”
Despite the delays, the renewed investment in these beloved IPs underscores a commitment to delivering traditional, linear-style programming to the streaming platform.
What are the latest developments regarding the “Harry Potter” series on HBO Max?
## HBO Max Charting a Course with New Shows & Password Crackdown
**(INTRO MUSIC)**
**HOST:** Welcome back to ”Reel Talk,” everyone. Joining us today is [Guest Name], entertainment journalist and pop culture critic, to discuss the latest news from HBO Max.
**GUEST:** Thanks for having me!
**HOST:** Let’s dive right in. HBO Max just announced a bunch of exciting news, including a third season of the highly successful “White Lotus.” What can you tell us about that?
**GUEST:** “White Lotus” fans, rejoice! The show is getting another season, premiering in February. While details are under wraps, we can expect more sharp satire and exploration of the wealthy and privileged set, with a new location and cast likely in tow.
**HOST:** Sounds promising! But there’s also some news about the much-anticipated “Harry Potter” series, right?
**GUEST:** Yes, unfortunately, there’s been a bump in the road. The studio has delayed the production, citing ongoing negotiations and creative considerations. No firm release date has been announced yet.
**HOST:** That’s a bummer for Potterheads, but perhaps understandable. Now, let’s talk about a less glamorous topic: password sharing. HBO Max is planning a crackdown, starting this month. What can viewers expect?
**GUEST:** HBO Max is stepping up their anti-sharing strategies, but they’re calling their approach “gentle” at first. Think of it as encouragement rather than a hardline approach initially. However, starting next year, they’ll begin rolling out stricter measures.
**HOST:** So, it sounds like they’re taking a measured approach?
**GUEST:** Absolutely. HBO Max understands that people share passwords for legitimate reasons, like family members in different households. They want to incentivize legitimate users to upgrade rather than alienate them.
**HOST:** Makes sense.
**GUEST:** It’s a balancing act for streaming services – maximizing revenue without penalizing loyal viewers. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds for HBO Max and the industry as a whole.
**HOST:** Definitely. Thanks for your insightful analysis, [Guest Name]. We appreciate you taking the time.
**(OUTRO MUSIC)**
