Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

HBO shows to arrive on Netflix in historic streaming service development

The first HBO title has been added to Netflix – and more will follow soon

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 04 July 2023 04:37 EDT
Comments
Season 4 of Insecure: Episode 9 promo

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A new Netflix addition has marked a groundbreaking move for the streaming service.

Each month, a new set of licenced titles are added to the platform, alongside the streamer’s original TV and film offerings.

For the first time ever, featured among the roster for July additions in the US, are HBO shows. Netflix subscribers have spotted that the entirety of Issa Rae’s comedy series Insecure has been added to its library.

Deadline reports that more will follow suit: miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific, as well as Alan Ball’s Six Feet Under and the Dwayne Johnson-starring Ballers.

The reason HBO shows will now appear on Netflix is due to an agreement alongside Warner Bros Discovery, which owns HBO’s streaming service, Max.

It’s been reported that Warner Bros Discovery are loaning HBO shows to Netflix to receive a financial boost. The move comes after several HBO series, including Raised by Wolves, Minx and Love Life, were unceremoniously removed from Max.

The highest-profile show to receive the chop was Westworld, which was cancelled in 2022 despite needing one more season to wrap its story up.

At the time of writing, there were no plans to add these HBO shows to Netflix in other territories. However, vampire drama True Blood, also created by Ball, will apparently become the first HBO show to be added to Netflix outside of the US. It is currently available to stream in the US on Hulu.

The Independent has contacted Netflix UK for comment.

The development is a big move for Netflix, with the presence of HBO titles undoubtedly considered a big pull for potential new subscribers.

Issa Rae in HBO series ‘Insecure’, which is available to stream on Netflix in the US
Issa Rae in HBO series ‘Insecure’, which is available to stream on Netflix in the US (HBO)

Years ago, it would have been impossible to comprehend HBO shows being released on rival streaming services due to the premium cable network’s strict licencing rights.

Sky Atlantic exclusively airs HBO content in the UK, which is available to watch via NOW.

Find a full list of every new title coming to Netflix in July here, and a breakdown of every movie and TV show being removed from the streaming service here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in