The Warner Bros. Discovery Upfronts for 2025 showcased a range of thrilling updates for Max, allowing audiences a first look at the studio’s forthcoming offerings.
As executives presented their ambitious vision for the media titan’s future, the event overflowed with announcements regarding new shows and streaming ventures.
Amid the rapid-fire updates, it’s easy to miss some crucial developments. Below are five major highlights from the event, spotlighting returning favorites, unexpected rebranding efforts, and innovative streaming concepts.
kicking things off, a brand-new trailer for the much-anticipated Superman from James Gunn took the center stage.
This fresh trailer includes throwback visuals like the Fortress of Solitude, introducing audiences to Krypto, and sets the stage for themes that explore Kal-El’s identity as an immigrant and vigilante—a narrative that Gunn seems eager to delve into.
With a track record for compelling storytelling in superhero narratives, anticipation builds for Superman‘s debut on July 11.
On a less cheerful note, those yearning for the A Song of Ice and Fire universe will have to wait longer, as the launch of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been pushed to 2026.
This upcoming series, based on George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight, will chronicle the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (played by Peter Claffey) and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they navigate Westeros’ treacherous political landscape, situated in a period bridging Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
Originally set to premiere in 2025, production has now shifted to a “winter” 2026 arrival, leaving fans eagerly anticipating more details.
In a network expansion move, Warner Bros. Discovery also unveiled numerous upcoming programs, including High Value Target, which is rebranded from its previous title, Debriefing the President.
This series draws inspiration from John Nixon’s firsthand experience during the interrogation of Saddam Hussein and features Joel Kinnaman in the role of Nixon, marking a historical development in the narrative.
Other notable announcements included Guy’s Flavortown Games hosted by Guy Fieri, HGTV’s Renovating the Bachelor Mansion, and a special segment for Shark Week titled Dancing With Sharks. Moreover, a gripping crime documentary, They Know What They Did, will feature Jennifer Love Hewitt, hinting at her potential return to the slasher genre.
Among the returning favorites are fan-favorites such as Rick and Morty, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, and My Adventures with Superman, while Max’s acclaimed series The Pitt is set to premiere on TNT ahead of its second season.
Perhaps the most surprising twist came when Warner Bros. Discovery announced that their streaming platform will revert to the name HBO Max.
This marks a significant return, as the service originally launched in 2020 as HBO Max, only to be briefly branded as Max in 2023. This decision reflects a shift back to the focus on quality programming, with Warner Bros. Discovery recognizing that viewers are prioritizing superior content over sheer volume. The revival of the HBO brand is likely an attempt to reaffirm its commitment to premium storytelling, echoing its renowned tagline, “It’s not TV. It’s HBO.”
Lastly, CNN is poised to make a comeback in the streaming world with a brand-new service set to launch in the fall.
In light of the struggles faced by CNN+ previously, this new service aims to carve a distinct identity, with the launch planned initially for the US and subsequent international availability. CEO Mark Thompson refers to this initiative as “the first true new streaming service,” underscoring its innovative features, which include a newly implemented paywall for CNN.com, live news channels, and exclusive content. Existing cable and satellite subscribers will enjoy free access, with CNN expected to maintain a presence on Max during the transition.
