In a move that’s set to raise some eyebrows, Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly shopping around some of its HBO library titles to streaming rival Netflix, according to Deadline.
The Issa Rae-led comedy “Insecure,” which ran for five seasons on HBO and wrapped in 2021, is reportedly the first title set to be part of the arrangement. “Insecure” already had a run on the cable network OWN earlier this year.
Other titles are being discussed, but the deal is not yet closed. The trade indicates that some HBO veterans pushed back against the plan, but Warner Bros. Discovery corporate finance won out.
If it goes forward, this will mark the very first time HBO shows would exist on a rival SVOD service within the United States. The shows are expected to be distributed on a non-exclusive basis, thus allowing them to still stream on Max.
HBO previously sold edited versions of “Sex and the City” to TBS, along with shows to other cablers including “Entourage,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and even “The Sopranos”. This, however, would be a first for a direct streaming competitor.
The move comes in the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery moving to distribute titles such as “Westworld” to free ad-supported streaming platforms such as Roku and Tubi.
