the HBO/MAX evolution has been ridiculously shitty to the HBO brand. they had their own film line and original series for years that was in-house and distinct from the broader studio system, cultivating relationships with talented actors, writers and directors. they were taking chances in serious budget, serialized dramas long before that was being done anywhere else. and they definitely had a golden age with stuff like True Detective S1, Barry, The Leftovers, going all the way back to The Sopranos, Carnivale, and Deadwood.

the whole WB induced MAX/Discovery thing simply injected that impressive library with a metric fuckload of complete garbage. so much unscripted trash tv and true crime slop, all appearing right on the heels of the GOT flame out.

they are clearly spinning out, and now this netflix merger is set to take it all the rest of the way into the gutter.

so glad i started my transition to self-hosting and jellyfin over a year ago. hbo is my last and only paid streamer since last year, and i look forward to cutting it in response to a final straw.