Warner Bros. Discovery is changing up its branding strategy for several high-profile Max releases, moving them under the HBO umbrella instead.

On the list is the much-anticipated Harry Potter TV adaptation that’s in development and due out in 2026. Though it was first announced in April 2023 as a Max Original, the series will now move forward as an HBO Original. This tweak means it will debut and air on the linear net in addition to streaming on Max. 

HBO and Max content CEO Casey Bloys discussed the studio’s change in thinking yesterday in an interview with Variety: “The idea of using Warner Bros. IP as a delineation for Max felt right—at least it gives you a clear lane. But as we started producing those shows, we were using the same methods, the same kind of thinking, as how we would approach HBO shows,” he explained, emphasizing that the premium scope and narrative ambition of these titles make them better suited to the prestigious HBO label. 

WBD also announced yesterday that Lanterns—an eight-part superhero live-actioner from DC Studios—has received a straight-to-series order from HBO rather than Max. To Bloys’ point, this drama series has already lined up familiar talent from other big-budget HBO titles such as True Detective: Night Country (Chris Mundy) and Watchmen (Damon Lindelof). Similarly, it was announced earlier today that Succession alums Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod will work on the Harry Potter series as showrunner and director respectively. 

For the most part, the branding change will only affect shows rolling out in 2025 and beyond, Bloys noted. For example, two adult-skewing Max Originals slated to launch this year (Batman spinoff The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy) won’t switch up since both titles have already been sold and promoted under the Max label. “[The Penguin] would be an obvious fit as an HBO Original. Unfortunately, the process of licensing it internationally has already started,” Bloys said.