Some of HBO’s shows could wind up on Netflix according to new report

While some Netflix users may not have had a password-sharing crackdown on their bingo cards this year, news about Warner Bros. Discovery selling some of HBO‘s content to the competition might be the biggest streaming surprise of 2023.

Admittedly, as heated as the battle between HBO and Netflix may be, viewers ultimately come out on top because of each company’s never-ending efforts to top one another. We’re all here to feast on an assortment of excellent comedies, dramas, and documentaries, and now it appears that the two giants’ possible mature and collaborative programming will be the cherry on top for subscribers. 

Deadline reports that in a shocking move, Warner Bros. Discovery is in negotiations to license some of HBO’s back catalog to Netflix, which would be the first time HBO shows were available on a competing SVOD service in the United States in nearly a decade.

The outler revealed that Issa Rae’s Insecure, a comedy that aired on HBO for five seasons and concluded in December 2021, will be the first title included in the deal. The portrayal of Black female lives, examining social concerns, and inventive storytelling in Insecure won the show widespread critical acclaim, with the show’s inspiration partly derived from Rae’s critically-acclaimed web series Awkward Black Girl.

According to sources, this is a business decision, and there are discussions of other names. As per the report, the agreement still needs to be finalized and could fall through. Nonetheless, it represents a significant shift in the premium pay industry strategy. The shows will likely have a non-exclusive distribution deal, too, allowing Max to continue streaming them.