An unexpected twist in the streaming wars could see Warner Bros. Discovery ( WBD ) to license some of its older HBO original series to compete with Netflix, according to new reports.
As reported deadlineWBD is shopping some of its HBO library titles to Netflix, including shows like the comedy Issa Rae Uncertain, which ran for five seasons on HBO. If this deal goes through, it would be the first time in nearly a decade that HBO shows would exist on a rival SVOD in the US.
The deal, which has yet to be finalized, would not be exclusive to Netflix, meaning licensed shows could still be streamed on Max, WBD’s own streaming service, formerly known as HBO Max.
Conformable deadlinesome HBO veterans rejected the plan, but “corporate financial consideration won out”.
The move comes as new WBD CEO David Zaslav looks to cut costs and find new ways to monetize the company’s vast library of content. Earlier this year, WBD partnered with Roku and Tubu to launch free, ad-supported channels featuring HBO shows like Westworld, The Nevers, FBOy Islandand Raised by wolves.
While the move is unexpected in the current battle for streaming dominance, licensing content from other streamers and networks has previously been typical for HBO. Over a decade ago, cable sold edited versions of the Sex and the city to TBS, Curb your enthusiasm on the TV Guide channel, Entourage to Spike and sopranos to A&E.
In addition, HBO has entered into an agreement with Amazon Prime Video in 2024 to license series such as thread, Dry wood, Six feet underand sopranosthough that was before Amazon started producing its own premium originals.
WBD, HBO and Netflix have yet to comment on the news.