In the dynamic world of streaming, it's clear that Apple TV has been making waves, effectively challenging HBO's dominance.
In the realm of television, HBO once reigned supreme. Its shows consistently garnered the most Emmy nominations and wins, serving as the benchmark against which all competitors were measured. Even as streaming services emerged and shows like The Sopranos and The Wire faded into memory, everyone yearned to create their own Game of Thrones.
Amazon splurged on The Lord of the Rings rights, producing The Rings of Power, but it didn't come close to matching Thrones' success and accolades. Apple TV, meanwhile, had mixed success with big epics like See and Foundation. However, it excelled at offering an exceptional ratio of quality to quantity, outperforming HBO in 2024.
HBO's last significant successes were in 2023 with Succession and The White Lotus. Since then, HBO has struggled to live up to its past glory. The Penguin, despite being one of my favorites of 2024, failed to surpass the greatness of shows like The Sopranos. House of the Dragon produced a disappointing second season, and True Detective's fourth season, Night Country, was a major letdown.
Apple TV, on the other hand, celebrated a successful year in 2024. Shrinking's second season was exceptional, Bad Monkey debuted strongly, and Slow Horses thrived in its fourth season. Even the adaptation of Presumed Innocent was a standout. And with the anticipated second season of Severance looming, Apple seemed poised to deliver another top show in 2025.
Yet, HBO and its streaming service Max had some noteworthy offerings coming up in 2025. The Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on Martin's novellas, looked promising. The White Lotus was set to return with a captivating third season, and the second installment of The Last of Us was expected to follow its predecessor's success, despite my belief that the games remain superior.
Despite its underperformance in 2024, HBO remained a force to be reckoned with, delivering critically acclaimed and highly viewed shows. However, Apple TV had undeniably nibbled away at HBO's dominant position in the age of streaming. Netflix, while boasting an abundance of shows, often sacrificed quality for quantity.
Competition, in this case, proved beneficial. Streaming options were wide and varied, making entertainment choices more diverse and exciting.
And for those interested in exploring Apple TV's offerings, I compiled a list of its best shows and movies over the weekend.
The best upcoming TV shows of 2025 on HBO Max include the promising Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on Martin's novellas, as well as the return of The White Lotus with its captivating third season. Netflix might have a vast array of shows, but its focus on quantity over quality sometimes leaves the best streaming services like Apple TV and HBO in the lead. Speaking of Apple TV, the anticipated second season of Severance promises another top show in 2025, joining the list of successful Apple TV shows like Shrinking, Bad Monkey, and Slow Horses from 2024.
Meanwhile, HBO's upcoming Netflix shows are not to be overlooked, as upcoming HBO shows like The Last of Us' second installment is expected to follow its predecessor's success. While Apple TV boasts an exceptional ratio of quality to quantity, the best streaming services also include Netflix, which houses many shows that are widely popular despite their mixed quality. And for those interested in exploring the best streaming services, particularly Apple TV, a comprehensive list of its best shows and movies is highly recommended.
In addition, upcoming Netflix shows like severance season 2 and many other promising series are attracting a significant audience. These shows along with the popular best streaming services are revolutionizing the television industry, leaving viewers with countless choices and exciting entertainment options.
