Which streaming stories did you miss this week?
Which streaming stories did you miss this week?
HBO Max launches in more global markets, new trailers and casting news, and other stories you may have missed this week.
From a streaming analyst’s perspective, the Warner Bros. Discovery merger fight is a gift that keeps on giving. The battle is creating non-stop headlines, dominating seemingly every news cycle. Just this week, Paramount submitted a new offer for WBD, which that company’s board says could be superior to an already accepted bid from Netflix.
If that story took all the bandwidth you had for streaming news this week, fear not. We’ll fill you in on smaller stories from throughout the week’s news that you may have missed, so you can stay thoroughly caught up on everything that’s going on in the industry.
Which streaming stories did you miss this week?
HBO Max to launch in Asia Pacific markets in March
The global expansion of HBO Max is continuing. On Tuesday, the streamer announced that it would be launching in 12 new Asia Pacific territories on March 26: Bhutan, Fiji, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The streamer is due to roll out in the U.K. and Ireland on the same day, which will help it continue to add to its subscriber pool of 130+ million viewers. HBO Max is now available in more than 100 countries and territories around the globe.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Streaming casting news
‘Wednesday’ adds Winona Ryder, Chris Sarandon, more
The all-star cast of the Netflix series “Wednesday” is growing even larger in its third season. On Monday, the streamer announced that, in addition to Eva Green joining as Morticia Addams’ sister Ophelia, “Wednesday” will welcome Winona Ryder, Chris Sarandon, Noah Taylor, Oscar Morgan, and Kennedy Moyer to the ensemble. Production on the show’s third season has officially begun.
See the ‘Wednesday’ Season 3 casting announcement
MGM+ adds Matt Dillon to ‘The Magnificent Seven’
The premium linear channel and streaming service MGM+ announced on Wednesday that it had attracted Matt Dillon to its eight-part series “The Magnificent Seven,” a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which starred Yul Brenner. Dillon will step into the shoes of Brenner’s character, Chris Adams, who leads a group of seven gunslingers tasked with protecting a group of innocent villagers from a ruthless land baron.
Emma Roberts to headline Peacock’s ‘Bride Wars’
Staying in the realm of remakes, Peacock is currently in development of a TV series that reimagines the 2009 film “Bride Wars.” On Wednesday, Deadline reported that Emma Roberts was attached to star in the series. “Bride Wars” will follow a big-city wedding planner (Roberts) who touches off a battle for the ages when she lands in a small town and meets the local planner.
‘Yellowjackets’ brings Molly Ringwald, June Squibb, on for final season
“Yellowjackets” is heading into its fourth and final season, and while plot details are being kept quiet for the time being, casting news about the season is starting to leak out. On Wednesday, Deadline reported that June Squibb would be added to the cast in an undisclosed role.
Deadline also reported that Molly Ringwald was coming to the SHOWTIME series, and that she would play Van’s mother, Vicky, an alcoholic trying to correct the mistakes of her past.
Streaming renewal, development news
‘Robin Hood’ greenlit for Season 2 on MGM+
On Tuesday, MGM+ announced that it was signing up for another season of its historical drama/romance series “Robin Hood,” which debuted its first season in 2025. Season 2 will have 10 episodes and will enter production this summer.
‘Industry’ to return for fifth and final season on HBO Max
The HBO drama series “Industry” doesn’t want to overplay its hand. As announced on Wednesday, the series will return for a fifth and final season, an announcement that fans will be delighted to hear ahead of the show’s Season 4 finale on Sunday.
Taylor Sheridan series ‘NOLA King’ gets new name, setting
Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ series “Tulsa King” is getting a spinoff, with Samuel L. Jackson set to star. But on Tuesday, Deadline reported that the show was getting a bit of an overhaul. The series has been renamed from “NOLA King” to “Frisco King,” reflecting the fact that its setting has been changed from New Orleans to Frisco, TX. Sheridan will write all eight episodes of the first season.
Hulu greenlights new ‘X-Files’ pilot from Ryan Coogler
“The X Files” is returning to TV screens. A reboot of the series written by Ryan Coogler and starring Danielle Deadwyler has officially been greenlit by Hulu, meaning a season order could be just around the corner.