Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

HBO Max Expands Podcast Lineup with Scripted Originals


HBO Max
HBO Max

HBO Max is putting its creative efforts to work and producing a slate of podcasts to extend and enhance its premium content. Since 2019, the HBO Max Podcast Program has grown from four podcasts to over 25 unique series, including popular and award-winning companion podcasts for hit series such as "Chernobyl," "Lovecraft Country" and more.

Now, plans are underway to expand beyond companion podcasts to include scripted audio originals like "Batman: The Audio Adventures," starring Jeffrey Wright; brand podcasts like "HBO Max Movie Club," look-back pods that pull from the streamer's library of content, both acquired and licensed titles and more.

"Our viewers tell us that, more than any other streaming platform, they want to discuss and dissect HBO Max programming with friends and family to extend the emotional experience after finishing an episode," said HBO Max Chief Strategy Officer Joshua Walker. "Our fans are at the center of everything we do, so we're following their lead by increasing our investment in podcasting, building on our successful and award-winning podcast program to deliver even more engaging, thoughtful content."

As part of this expansion, Michael Gluckstadt and Becky Rho, Co-Directors of the HBO Max Podcast Program, announced today on a panel hosted by Pineapple Street Studios at the Podcast Movement festival in Nashville that:

  • "Batman: The Audio Adventures" will be released exclusively on HBO Max in the fall. In partnership with Warner Bros. and DC, this scripted audio original, Gotham City comes to lurid life in the theater of your mind... with a sensational pageant of technicolor villainy unlike any other on Earth.

  • On September 9, HBO Max will launch its first look-back podcast in honor of the 20th anniversary of "Band of Brothers." Hosted by Roger Bennett, the program will kick off with an interview with executive producer Tom Hanks and will feature interviews with additional former castmates over the course of several weeks.

  • Debuting this fall is "We Stay Looking," a sequel to Issa Rae's "Insecure" companion podcast, "Looking for Latoya," and the platform's first-ever scripted HBO podcast series. Made in partnership with Raedio and Tenderfoot TV, "Looking for Latoya," is a Webby Award-winning satirical series based on the show-within-the-show of the same name that sheds light on the way missing Black women are often underreported in the media.

  • HBO Max is expanding its partnership with Audacy to include HBO Max and HBO Documentary titles. The streaming platform has worked with Audacy's Pineapple Street Studios since the inception of its podcast program, producing companion podcasts such as "Lovecraft Country Radio" and "The Chernobyl Podcast," which has been listened to over 13 million times.

  • Launched in 2020, the streamer will continue its partnership with iHeartMedia, which has seen the co-production of successful podcasts for Max Original series including "Raised by Wolves," "Genera+ion," "Search Party" and "Murder at White House Farms," to add new titles and introduce new formats like an HBO Max brand-level podcast entitled, "HBO Max Movie Club" hosted by comedian Matt Rogers ("Las Culturistas").

  • HBO Max has partnered with Kast Media to bring HBOMax users the ultimate The OC-rewatch podcast, "Welcome to The OC, Bitches" for in-app streaming. In each podcast episode, hosts Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke will take fans back to a particular episode of the classic series, share behind-the-scenes scoops, and interview guests who were part of The OC experience.
"Being passionate about what we do has been key to our success. We keep our goal of authentic connection top priority by working with creators and writers who are equally as passionate as we continue to add to our roster of podcasts for fans of our programming," Rho shared at the festival.

Gluckstadt added, "Our program is growing so rapidly because of the connection we offer fans to their favorite shows. Podcasts are extraordinary tools to extend the worlds of HBO Max shows and stories and we can't wait to see everyone's reaction to the fresh content coming this year and next."

All of these podcasts will be available to stream on HBO Max, with "Batman: The Audio Adventures" available exclusively on the platform. Other podcasts, like "HBO Max Movie Club" and "Trade Secrets," are also available wherever fans listen to podcasts.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

iHeartMedia Names Julie Donohue President of EBD Group
Julie Donohue
Julie Donohue
iHeartMedia appoints Julie Donohue as President of its newly formed Enterprise Business Development Group, the company announced in an internal memo from Chairman & CEO Bob Pittman and President/COO & CFO Rich Bressler. The move comes as the company restructures its Multi-Market Partnerships Group (MMP) More

KABC Becomes Home of UCLA Bruins Football & Basketball
UCLA Bruins Audio Network
UCLA Bruins Audio Network
Cumulus Media's KABC (Talk Radio 790) inks a multi-year agreement with UCLA Athletics to become the official radio broadcast home of UCLA Bruins football and men's basketball. Under the deal, KABC will serve as the flagship outlet of the UCLA Bruins Audio Network, with coverage also available on SiriusXM and More

KNSS' ''Steve & Ted'' Morning Show Marks 7,000th Broadcast
Steve McIntosh and Ted Woodward
Steve McIntosh and Ted Woodward
Wichita's Steve and Ted morning show on KNSS-AM & FM) will celebrate its 7,000th broadcast on August 26. The milestone comes as longtime co-host Steve McIntosh prepares to retire at the end of the year, closing a chapter on one of Wichita radio's most enduring partnerships. McIntosh and co-host Ted More
Advertisement

PopCrush Nights Sets Labor Day ''Sounds of Summer''
PopCrush Nights Labor Day Special
PopCrush Nights Labor Day Special
Compass Media Networks will mark the Labor Day holiday weekend with a special edition of PopCrush Nights, delivering a five-hour, commercial-free program designed for Hot AC and CHR stations. Entitled "Sounds of Summer," the special will be hosted by Lauryn Snapp and Donny Meacham and will feature a mix of More

Maddie Reis Departs Mornings at KMVA in Phoenix
Maddie Reis
Maddie Reis
Maddie Reis has announced that she is no longer the morning host at Hot AC KMVA (97.5 & 103.9) in Phoenix. Reis, who joined the station in September, 2024 to launch her solo morning show Maddie in the Morning, shared the news with listeners on Instagram. She revealed that she was laid off shortly after her More

LABF to Hold 2025 Giants of Broadcasting Luncheon
Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF)
Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF)
The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) will spotlight NBC's 100th anniversary as part of this year's Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts awards, set for Friday, November 14 at Gotham Hall in New York. The annual tribute celebrates individuals and organizations whose innovations and More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement