Following the Success of 'The Pitt,' HBO Reveals New Production Strategy

Collider wrote an article for the show talking about the new production strategy for going into season two:

HBO is changing how it produces its original content following The Pitt's Emmy sweep. The 15-episode medical drama has found massive success since its release at the start of the year, and HBO wants to use its production structure as a basis for future projects, hoping for similar results. According to a recent report, HBO's new production structure will be similar to The Pitt, with one season containing 15 episodes, an annual release, and a "modest budget."

This new production model has already begun, as HBO has greenlit two new shows: a cop drama titled American Blue from Supernatural showrunner Jeremy Carver, and a family drama called How To Survive Without Me (working title). It was also reported that HBO has other dramas lined up under the new model. HBO Max's Head of Originals, Sarah Aubrey, said the new model exists because there's a gap in the streaming market: Production companies aren't making "network-style shows with 15+ episodes that return annually." She also mentioned that audiences were interested in The Pitt because the story hooked them, and the number of episodes meant viewers could spread the word about the show's quality, thereby attracting more viewers.

Since its release, The Pitt Season 1 has been highly praised by fans and critics alike, earning a 95% critics' score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, The New York Times reported that the U.S. medical community praised The Pitt for its accurate depiction of the American healthcare system. The Pitt hired actual doctors at "every level of the production," which is why the medical community appreciated that it reflected what a real-life hospital shift looks like, while also making the characters relatable.

Full Article: https://collider.com/hbo-production-strategy-follow-the-pitt-success/