HBO And Netflix Shake Up Streaming With Hit Shows

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, February 2026 has proven to be a defining month for both HBO Max and Netflix, with major shifts in viewing trends and the revival of cult-favorite series. The battle for viewers’ attention is fiercer than ever, as new and returning shows vie for the coveted top spots on global streaming charts, while beloved series find new life on rival platforms. For fans of drama, comedy, and everything in between, there’s never been a better—or more overwhelming—time to be a TV enthusiast.

HBO Max, long celebrated for its powerhouse slate of original programming, has once again found itself at the center of the conversation. According to Collider, the platform’s latest Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, made a strong debut. Set 90 years before the events of the original series and years after House of the Dragon, the show follows hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they journey across the seven kingdoms. Striking a more intimate tone than its dragon-filled predecessors, the series has nonetheless drawn in fans eager to return to George R.R. Martin’s world.

But as the six-part series reached its midpoint, something unexpected happened: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was knocked from the top spot on HBO Max’s global charts by the medical drama The Pitt. This dethroning, reported by Flixpatrol and highlighted by Collider, is notable given the immense hype surrounding any Game of Thrones-related content. The Pitt, now reigning at number one, is led by Noah Wyle in the role of Dr. Robby, the charismatic and quietly struggling head doctor at a bustling Pittsburgh emergency room. Praised by both critics and medical professionals for its realism and compelling performances, the series has become something of a crown jewel for HBO, especially after winning five Emmy awards last fall.

According to Tom’s Guide and additional reporting, The Pitt is currently five episodes into its second season, with ten more to come. Its success has already guaranteed a third season, greenlit even before the second season began airing. Meanwhile, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms remains a strong contender, holding the second spot among heavyweights like The Last of Us, Industry, and Heated Rivalry. The series has also been renewed for a second season, set to adapt the next book in the source material, The Sworn Sword.

Not to be overlooked, Industry—a high-stakes workplace drama now in its fourth season—rounds out HBO Max’s global top three. With its latest season described by critics as the best yet, and a cast that includes newcomers Kiernan Shipka and Charlie Heaton alongside Myha’la, Marisa Abela, Ken Leung, and Kit Harington, Industry is proving itself as a worthy successor to fan-favorite dramas like Succession. The show’s fifth episode of the season is set to air on February 8, with the season finale scheduled for March 1.

Despite the intense competition, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms boasts impressive credentials of its own. The series has garnered a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 95% and has been lauded as a “proper return to the world of Westeros,” according to recent reviews. With three of its six episodes available to stream as of early February, there’s still plenty of time for the show to climb back to the top spot as more viewers discover it.

But while HBO Max continues to dominate with its original content, Netflix has made a strategic move that’s causing waves across the industry. On February 5, as reported by ComicBook.com and Tom’s Guide, Netflix added all five seasons and 50 episodes of the cult dark comedy Search Party to its streaming library. The series, created by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter, originally debuted on TBS in 2016 before moving to HBO Max for its final three seasons, which concluded in 2022.

Search Party is a genre-bending mystery that follows Dory Sief (Alia Shawkat) and her group of millennial friends as they investigate the disappearance of a former college acquaintance. Over its five-season run, the show transformed from a Brooklyn-based whodunit into a surreal, philosophical comedy—never losing its sharp, satirical edge. Critics have consistently praised the series, with its Rotten Tomatoes average standing at an impressive 96%. Seasons 1 and 5 even achieved perfect 100% scores, and the lowest-rated season still managed an enviable 93%.

The arrival of Search Party on Netflix is the result of an ongoing licensing partnership between Warner Bros. Television and HBO, allowing select HBO and HBO Max shows to appear on Netflix’s platform. This move comes after the show was removed from HBO Max in the spring of 2025, leaving fans clamoring for its return to streaming. Now, with all episodes available in one place, the series is primed to reach a new audience and satisfy longtime fans eager to revisit its wild, genre-defying twists.

Critical response to Search Party has been effusive. As noted by Variety, the show is “an astounding and engaging journey through genre conventions that should be at odds with each other.” TIME’s Judy Berman described it as “utterly bonkers,” applauding its clever writing and bold transitions from mystery to existential comedy. Thrillist’s Esther Zuckerman called the final season a “brilliantly chaotic ride that skewers influencer and wellness culture while somehow avoiding typical tropes.”

Viewer reactions have been somewhat more divided, with a 75% audience score on Popcornmeter, but the show’s unique blend of horror, comedy, and satire has cemented its status as a must-watch for those open to its offbeat sensibilities. And with Netflix’s ever-expanding roster of new releases—including the latest seasons of Heartland, Night Court, and classics like Stargate SG-1—subscribers are spoiled for choice.

The cross-pollination between HBO and Netflix signals a new era in streaming, where content can find second (or even third) lives across platforms. For fans, it means greater access to the shows they love—and perhaps a few surprises along the way. As the dust settles from February’s streaming shakeups, one thing is clear: whether you’re drawn to the political intrigue of Westeros, the adrenaline rush of an ER, or the existential absurdity of millennial life, there’s never been a better time to press play.