The CW and HBO Max may be teaming up to create original shows across the two platforms. After the big premiere for Walker and the upcoming Superman and Lois set to air on February 23, The CW is making moves to expand its audience. The network recently renewed a number of its series, including The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, which have yet to air their season premieres. HBO Max is also looking to expand its audience, with 2021 set to feature a number of blockbuster Warner Bros. films including Godzilla vs. Kong, The Suicide Squad, and Dune.
Deadline reports HBO Max and The CW are discussing a co-financing deal for original series. The series would premiere on HBO Max and would air on The CW the next day. The report mentions these potential shows would air in the summer, as opposed to as part of the fall or spring lineup of shows network television typically focus on.
This is a similar deal that was worked out between the now-defunct DC Universe App and The CW for Stargirl. DC Universe premiered a new episode on Monday and then would air that same episode on The CW on Tuesday night. It worked out to great success for The CW, as Stargirl drew in relatively large numbers for a summer series on the network and proved successful enough that The CW will air Stargirl's upcoming season 2 exclusively.
A deal between The CW and HBO Max would be beneficial for both parties. HBO Max airing programs on The CW would get more eyes on its material, ones that may not have the app or families that can't afford the streaming service but still rely on traditional cable and broadcast networks. The CW will get series, potentially with a higher production value, to make its summer programming must-see television for viewers. The CW already has a streaming service that broadcasts shows a day after they air, and unlike other ones that require a cable provider or a streaming charge, it is a free service. It isn't clear if these potential hybrid HBO Max series would also go to The CW app after broadcast, but they still offer The CW a chance to draw in new viewers, while putting more eyes on the products they can get for subscribing to HBO Max.
Source: Deadline