Looney Tunes And Elmo Beat Game Of Thrones As Most Popular HBO Max Shows
Okay well this wasnt supposed to happen. HBO Max launched with Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Friends, basically the greatest back catalog in television history. Everyone assumed subscribers would be binging the prestige stuff. Instead? Bugs Bunny and Elmo are running the show.
According to Parrot Analytics the most in-demand content on HBO Max during first week wasnt any of the Emmy-winning dramas HBO is famous for. It was Looney Tunes Cartoons – the new animated series with Bugs, Daffy, rest of classic gang. Right behind it? The Not-Too-Late Show With Elmo, a talk show parody hosted by everyones favorite red Muppet.
Game of Thrones? Nowhere in top tier. The Sopranos? Not even close. Anna Kendricks Love Life eventually climbed to second place but kids shows dominated early.
What This Actually Tells Us
Most obvious takeaway is families signed up for HBO Max. Parents didnt shell out $14.99 monthly to rewatch shows theyd already seen. They wanted content for their kids that would justify subscription cost.
Looney Tunes Cartoons represents something rare – genuinely new take on classic characters that appeals to nostalgic adults AND kids encountering Bugs Bunny for first time. Animation style updates originals while preserving spirit. Its actually good.
The Not-Too-Late Show With Elmo fills niche Disney+ doesnt occupy. Sesame Workshop content gives HBO Max family appeal differentiating it from competitors focused on adult programming.
Disney+ Comparison Though
Disney+ launched with The Mandalorian which generated approximately 46 times the demand of average show on that platform. Nothing on HBO Max came close to that cultural saturation. Baby Yoda went viral. Bugs Bunny… did not.
But comparison isnt entirely fair. The Mandalorian was first live-action Star Wars series ever. Looney Tunes Cartoons is revival of characters that never really went away. Different expectations different impact.
What HBO Max Needs Now
Service launched without apps on Roku or Amazon Fire TV which limits reach significantly. 4K streaming isnt available yet. Interface received criticism. None of that stopped families finding kids content.
Going forward HBO Max needs originals generating same buzz as Netflixs latest binge-worthy series or Disneys Marvel shows. Catalog is strong. New stuff needs work. Zack Snyders Justice League cut might help when it arrives. For now though the streaming wars have surprising early leader on HBO Max: a rabbit whos been outsmarting hunters since 1940.
