The $30 million gamble pays off

HBO Max's decision to invet in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Euphoria, and The Pitt has paid off, with the shows topping the streaming charts in 2026.

According to the streaming platform, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was a Game of Thrones spin-off show that had to stop production due to a natural disaster but resumed its journey for release before the end of 2027 .

Moreover, the show Euphoria Season 3 has reached all-time series low levels, but The Pitt, with its medical drama, has been garnering critical acclaim.

The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle,received low ratings from its fans but is still near the top of HBO Max streaming charts as one of the top 10 most watched TV shows globally.

Why 4,000 unsold units became the prize

The success of these shows can be attributed to the fact that they were able to tap into the current mraket trends, with Euphoria Season 3 and The Pitt exploring themes of mental health and medical drama.

These themes have resonated with audiences, who are looking for more complex and nuanced storytelling in their TV shows.

As a result, HBO Max has seen a significant increase in viewership for these shows, with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The Pitt consistently ranking in the top 10 most watched TV shows gllobally.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

The success of HBO Max's top shows in 2026 is reminiscent of the institutional buy-up of TV shows in 2024 , where streaming platforms invested heavily in producing and acquiring content.

At the time, it was seen as a risk, but the strategy has paid off, with many of these shows going on to become huge successes.

As the TV industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how HBO Max and other streaming platforms adapt to the changing landscape.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

One question that remains unanswered is who is behind the success of HBO Max's top shows in 2026.

While the streaming platform has not revealed the identity of the unnamed buyer, it is clear that they have been instrumental in the success of these shows.

As the TV industrry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the role of the unnamed buyer continues to shape the industry.

Broader context

The success of HBO Max's top shows in 2026 is part of a larger trend in the TV industry, where streaming platforms are investing heavily in producing and acquiring content.

This trend is driven by the growing demand for streaming services, as well as the increasing competition between streaming platforms.

As a result, TV shows are becoming more complex and nuanced, with many exploring themes of mental health, medical drama, and social justice.

Open questions

One question that remains unanswered is how HBO Max will continue to adapt to the changing landscape of the TV industry.

Will they continue to invest in producing and acquiring content, or will they shift their focus to other areas, such as original programming or distribution deals?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the success of HBO Max's top shows in 2026 has set a new standard for the industry.