Harry Potter series set to conjure a streaming surge for Max/HBO Max in 2026

WarnerMedia, which holds the rights to the Harry Potter films, has been suggesting for a while that there's an intention to significantly invest in the expansion of the "Hogwarts universe". The first project was a game show. "Harry Potter: Tournament of Houses" offered fans of the iconic series an opportunity to exhibit their knowledge about the wizarding world. It was initially aired on the platform then known as HBO GO. Later, viewers had the chance to watch, among other programmes, the celebratory show "Harry Potter's 20th Anniversary. Return to Hogwarts".

Even though more than 12 years have elapsed since the cinema premiere of the final instalment of the iconic series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II", "Potter" continues to enjoy strong popularity on the streaming service. Films about the Hogwarts wizard are frequently revisited by viewers.

Zaslav, the head of Warner Bros. Discovery, doesn't shy away from expressing how pivotal the "Harry Potter" franchise is to him, particularly for streaming. "We're passionately enthusiastic (...). We have spent considerable time with J.K. Rowling and her team. Everyone is exhilarated at the opportunity to rejuvenate the series. We can hardly wait to unveil the outcome of our efforts with fans globally," Zaslav shared.

The "Harry Potter" series will be aired on the Max platform (currently known as HBO Max in Poland). A seven-season span is envisaged, with each season adapted from a different novel in the renowned fantasy series by J.K. Rowling. Of course, the cast will not include familiar faces from the cinema series.

The series launch is slated for 2026. Analysts envisage that on the launch day alone, "Harry Potter's" first season could potentially cause the user count for Max/HBO Max to double.