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This article was published on March 27, 2025.
Then came MaxsNoah Wyleledmedical drama,The Pitt.
Indeed, the Warner Bros. TVproduced series was engineered to be exactly that.
ET, rather than in the middle of the night (as so many streaming shows still do).
(Memo to Netflix: This is why weekly releases of episodes can be good!)
11 streaming original for the week of March 10, a rep for the data giant tells Vulture.
Final numbers and rankings could change, however, so a top-ten finish is still possible.
So ifThe Pittends up ranking No.
It was a measured bet, to be sure.
And yet, it was still a risk and one that no other similar-size streamer had taken before.
A slate has to be diverse, he said.
Let me start by asking you about the genesis ofThe Pitt.
Warner Bros. TV is part of the same Warner Bros.
But its harder than ever for premium procedurals like the ones he makes to get made.
We were very intentional about wanting a online grid-style show, meaning longer than seven or eight episodes.
We also wanted to be able to do it at a budget thats sustainable.
A number of Apples most successful shows are Warner Bros. shows.
Theyve got business all over the place.
You mentioned 15 episodes.
But thenI wanted more.
I definitely wanted more.
We used to do 12 episodes at HBO when I first got there.
It kind of shrunk to ten and then, more recently, eight.
The idea here was to really go for it.
I didnt think 22 was realistic right off the bat.
This model of more episodes cuts down on the gap between seasons.
What I love about something likeThe Pittis, I can get 15 episodes in a year.
Thats a really great addition to what were already doing on the platform.
And Id like to do more shows in this model.
Why did you finally decide to venture to do one?It was a couple of things.
There was this idea of trying to figure out, Whats an HBO show versus a Max show?
How do you define them?
You know an HBO show.
I can point to a lot of them and say, Thats what it should feel like.
A Max show is something we were still trying to define.
Its even starting conversations in the medical field about being themost realistic medical proceduralpeople have seen.
But also, anytime you think about a programming offering, its a slate.The Pitthas expanded the Max audience.
Some of the audience cohorts who are coming in forThe Pittare not necessarily people who regularly watch HBO shows.
Theyll watch action movies.
So a show likeThe Pittis a really great addition for the entire platform.
The idea is to attempt to push out from HBO.
And even five years is a long time.
Streaming is still a relatively new business.
In any business, youve got to test things.
It certainly took me and the team a while to figure out.
It was understanding that a slate has to be diverse.
Yes, those big-event series, the HBO shows, do incredibly well.
Theres got to be some balance.
Weve all sold them library shows, so they havent had to necessarily worry about it.
But if youre thinking long-term a library just doesnt grow on trees.
And to make it do that, you have to specifically develop these kinds of shows.
You cant just rely on whats already there, especially with online grid television doing less and less.
Youve done a few things withThe Pittthat mirror how linear TV shows are rolled out.
One of the biggest has beenreleasing just one episode each weekand also having them drop at 9 p.m.
It didnt make a lot of sense.
People like appointment television.
Now look, the majority of the people watchingThe PittorThe White Lotuswill watch off premiere night.
But I do think there is something significant about having a day and time for release.
So, I believe in releasing shows on a Thursday night or Sunday night.
I dont see a reason not to.
The Pitt, as well asHacks, both end each episode with a next week on … teaser.
I think the show needs that equivalent of Eriq La Sallepumping his fistintheERcredits.
So I dont feel like its missing anything.
But if they wanted to do something, I would certainly be open to it.
Thats a pittance compared to some streaming shows, which cost upwards of $20 million per hour.
And in the case ofThe Pitt, which is an extreme, its all one day.
Just from a wardrobe point of view, nobodys changing, other than getting blood spatters cleaned up.
But the budget is a big part of it because its what allows us to do a larger order.
or Should we go elsewhere?
But we did end up getting a tax credit on the show, which helped.
Do you think that cap should be lifted?Yes!
I think its crazy that California let Atlanta become such a big hub …
I would hope that California will expand the incentive program because it does make a difference.
Youve said the audience forThe Pittis substantial and growing, and that youre very happy with it.
And when they cost that much, they better be bringing people in.
But Im thrilled with the performance its had thus far.
It makes sense in the run-up to season two, for more exposure.
it’s possible for you to look at it as a marketing play.
Were starting to see it withThe Last of Us.
I think its fine to do for marketing reasons as long as you dont overdo it.
You want people to know the place to get a current hit show is on Max.
You said last fall that you have several other procedurals in development.
Any update on the status of those projects?
How many more procedurals would you like to have?
Can you offer any hint of how far along those scripts are in development?
Im not trying to mimic any sort of online grid process like that.
Its not going to be that large an operation.
This is an addition to what were already doing.
Im not programming an entire ABC or CBS lineup.
I mean, just think about NBC Thursday nights.
The key is to have a formula or a setup that allows you to tell that many stories.
The response toThe Pitthas been so positive that it feels like this is also an Emmy contender.
I mean, look, first-season shows who knows?
But the show deserves the recognition, and the cast, especially Noah, deserve it.
And what aboutAnd Just Like That …season three?
Is that also for the summer, or will it premiere before June?Before June.
But it will definitely run into the summer.
Theres been a lot of interest in it.
The trailer was the biggest trailer weve ever released in the history of HBO.
Weve gotThe Gilded Agecoming back.
Weve gotAnd Just Like That …coming back.
Weve got a new show from the creator ofMare of EasttowncalledTask, which is excellent.
Weve got anItprequel series calledWelcome to Derrythatll be out this fall.
